Article 2: Mode of operation

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  • Participation & Consultation: Citizens' Assemblies, Public Consultation
  • Governance & Institutions: Public procurement

2.1 System of regular meetings

The Multilateral Forum operates through a system of regular meetings. The Plenary Assembly meets every two months and is the highest decision-making body. The Working Groups meet on a monthly basis, focusing on specific themes. Open Meetings are organized every six months, by default open to all stakeholders inside and outside the Forum.

2.2 Co-creation cycles

The functioning of the Forum is based on nine-month co-creation cycles:

  • Months 1-3: Diagnosing needs and setting priorities through questionnaires, public consultations and analyses.
  • Months 4-6: Develop concrete commitments through collaborative workshops and technical teams.
  • Months 7-9: Finalisation and approval of an Action Plan by the competent Ministry, after a public consultation of at least 6 weeks.

2.3 Role in implementation and monitoring

Following the adoption of each Action Plan, the Forum becomes a monitoring mechanism: Working Groups monitor progress, provide technical support and identify obstacles. Progress meetings are organised every three months. The Forum may publish periodic progress reports and shall be actively involved in the evaluation process by the Independent Evaluation Mechanism (IRM) of the OGP.

2.4 Participation mechanisms

The Forum operates with a hybrid model that combines physical and digital participation. Meetings are held mainly in Athens, but regional meetings are also organized. The Forum’s digital platform provides opportunities for online participation.

2.5 Decision-making procedures

The main method of decision-making is to reach consensus through dialogue. Where consensus is not possible, a qualified majority of two-thirds shall apply. All decisions shall be recorded in the minutes and published on the Forum's website.

AI Discussion Summary

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Executive Summary – Joint Initiatives to Strengthen Democracy, Transparency and Systematic Cooperation

General tuna
The observations are characterised by a hopeful and constructive style. Commentators suggest improvements without criticism, focusing on solutions that promote inclusion, transparency and stability of decision-making processes.

Main topics

1. Equal and Inclusive Representation
– Confirmation that each group – regardless of size, sector or social background – will have an equal presence and voice at all stages of the consultation.
– Proposals for control mechanisms (e.g. quantitative limits, participation criteria) to avoid excessive concentration of power.

2. Regular and Institutionalized Cycle of Meetings
– Creation of a predictable calendar with predetermined dates and timeframes for meetings, workshops and votes.
– Establish an institutional framework (e.g. a regulation or a timetable) that ensures consistency and ease of planning for all stakeholders.

3. Transparency and Access
– Open publication of minutes, petitions and decisions on an accessible platform is required so that the context and reasons for each decision are clearly understood.
– Guarantee free access to all consultation materials, allowing citizens and interested groups to actively monitor, comment and contribute.

Conclusion
The proposals constitute a clear and encouraging vision for a more democratic, transparent and organised decision-making process. The focus on equal representation, regular and institutionalized meeting algorithm, as well as on open access to materials, creates a coherent action plan that strengthens inclusivity, enhances citizens' trust and promotes the effectiveness of institutional processes.

By implementing the above measures, the community will be able to establish a sustainable model of consultation that sets an example for other environments and enhances collective responsibility and a sense of shared ownership of decisions.

Comments

4 responses to “Article 2: Mode of operation”

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  1. The timetable (Plenary every two months, Working Groups monthly, nine-month cycles) is ambitious and this, however attractive it may be as a prospect, sincerely concerns me. In Greek reality, the availability of executives of the public administration, civil society and volunteers is limited and an overly dense program may lead to frequent absences or fatigue. Would a lighter pace at least in the beginning, intensifying as the Forum matures, be more realistic? I would also be interested in your view of the 2/3 majority as an alternative when there is no consensus. Is it the right threshold or too high? Especially those who have participated in similar collective bodies, your experience here is valuable.


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  2. Christoforos Arvanitis
    Christoforos Arvanitis

    It should work in such a way that:
    1. Equal and inclusive representation
    2. To have a regular and institutionalized cycle of meetings
    3. Openness with publications of minutes directly online and open access to consultation procedures for all citizens

    🤖 AI AnalysisAI analyzed this comment and extracted the main posts expressed by the author. Each position is broken down into arguments – click to see them.✦ Created with AI
    📍 Ensuring equitable and inclusive representation 0 business
    📍 Establishment of a regular and institutionalized cycle of meetings 0 business
    📍 Ensuring transparent publication of minutes and open access to consultation procedures 0 business

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  3. CHRISTOS CHAHOUDIS avatar
    CHRISTOS CHAHOUDIS

    Article 2 presents a very well-designed operational framework, which, if implemented as described, can substantially enhance transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in Greece.
    The challenge lies not in design, but in consistent implementation, broadening participation and ensuring that processes do not remain formal.
    Article 2 is very well structured. The proposals above aim at three points where the Greek administration has traditionally struggled:

    Consistency and pace of work

    Substantial participation and not formal

    Transparency and measurable accountability

    🤖 AI AnalysisAI analyzed this comment and extracted the main posts expressed by the author. Each position is broken down into arguments – click to see them.✦ Created with AI

    No export locations found.


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  4. I think the periodicity of the meetings is quite dense. The monthly convening of working groups may discourage the participation of civil society organisations and unnecessarily increase the workload, as it will be difficult to see significant developments every month. I would therefore suggest holding regular meetings every two or three months – and in any case not on a monthly basis – as well as the possibility of convening extraordinary meetings if necessary.


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