Resources
This category contains resources that relate to the functioning of the Ombudsman's institution.
They are aimed at Ombudsmen, researchers and citizens in general who are interested in the functioning of the institution.
The year 2024 marked both the first full year of operation of the Observatory for the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise (symparastatis.gr) and the beginning of the new local government term (2024–2028). Among the 212 Municipalities and 13 Regions legally obliged to elect an Ombudsman under Law 3852/2010, compliance levels varied significantly, despite a notable increase in activity compared with previous periods. The present report of the Observatory assesses the degree to which Local Governments complied with this obligation.
Read more: Report on the Institution of the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise in 2024
On the occasion of the start of the new municipal mandate from 1 January 2024, the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise Observatory sends an open letter to the 212 Municipalities of the country that - on the basis of the criteria set by Law 3852/2010 (Article 77, paragraph 1) - are obliged to select an Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise.
A very interesting and generally admittedly successful event took place on Wednesday, March 27th, at the Cultural Center of Agios Stefanos, on the topic of Digital Governance and the role of the Citizen & Business Ombudsman in Public Administration.
One of the main reasons for the Observatory's existence, as it is often mentioned, is the fact that the implementation of the institution of the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise (for the Municipalities) and the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise (for the Regions) has admittedly not been adopted to the expected extent since its establishment with Kallikratis in 2010 until today.
Read more: Frequent "misunderstandings" about the Local Ombudsman
On a full and very constructive day, the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise Observatory left its first "stigma" to Civil Society and Open Government, participating in the competitive part of WeOpenGov that took place at its 2nd Forum on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the War Museum. The founder of the Observatory, Ioannis Fytros, during the presentation of the project focused on the reasons that led to the implementation of symparastatis.gr, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in local government, amid the challenges of corruption and maladministration faced by public administration in Greece in general.
Read more: Presentation of symparastatis.gr at the 2nd forum of WeOpenGov
The present Ombudsman's Manual is drafted by mr. Vassilis Sotiropoulos who was the Ombudsman of the Citizen and the Enterprise in the Municipality of Athens during the Municipal period 2011-2014. It is a very useful point of reference for the individual practical elements of the institution's operation in a municipality.