Civic Space Review of Portugal
Towards People-Centred, Rights-Based Public Services
The Civic Space Review of Portugal provides an in-depth analysis of the national legal frameworks, policies, institutions, and practices relevant to civic space protection, with an emphasis on harnessing user input to facilitate people-centred public service reforms. The Review assesses three key areas: 1) protecting the civic freedoms and information environment that create the conditions for public service reforms; 2) strengthening stakeholder and citizen participation in the process; and 3) moving towards more inclusive, accessible and people-centred public service design and delivery. The two case studies and concrete recommendations in the review offer a tangible path towards more inclusive, participatory public services that place citizens at their core.
Executive summary
Over the past decade, the Government of Portugal has demonstrated a commitment to placing citizens at the heart of its strategy to improve the design and delivery of public services. In 2021, it released the Guiding Principles for a Human Rights Based Approach on Public Services (hereafter the Guiding Principles), emphasising human rights and participatory approaches for people-centred public service reforms. With 19 ministries and affiliated entities delivering over 1 768 services across sectors and channels, Portugal has a robust public service culture. Since 2018, the government has been decentralising service delivery across 18 regions and 308 municipalities, enhancing local access and scalability.
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