Have you ever thought about a city where every resident can instantly report a pothole, influence the city budget, or participate in solving important social issues — all online, without queues, bureaucracy, and wasting time? This has actually already become a reality in many countries thanks to Civic Tech — technologies that improve interaction between citizens and authorities.

Civic Tech is not just IT solutions, it’s a philosophy of transparency, openness, and active community participation in decision-making. In a world where trust in government institutions is often low, Civic Tech helps change the rules of the game: authorities become closer, processes become more understandable, and every voice is heard. And although this direction is already widespread in developed countries, for many civil society organizations, municipalities, and activists, it is just opening up its possibilities.

In this article, we will look at how Civic Tech works, which solutions are already changing communities around the world and in Ukraine, and how every NGO can use these tools, even without large budgets.

How Civic Tech works: simple solutions for big changes

Civic Tech includes digital tools and platforms that allow citizens to influence decision-making processes, monitor government actions, and participate in community development. The main goal is to strengthen the connection between the authorities and people, making it transparent and mutual.

Here are several key areas of Civic Tech solutions:

• Electronic petitions. Platforms where every citizen can initiate or support an idea important to the community. In Ukraine, there is a unified e-petition system that obliges the authorities to respond to appeals that have collected a certain number of signatures.
• Participatory Budgeting. Online platforms for distributing part of the city budget by community decision. For example, each resident can propose an idea (such as building a playground) and vote for the best projects.
• Chatbots for communication with authorities. For example, a bot in Telegram through which you can leave an appeal, get a consultation, or find out about the status of problem-solving.
• Monitoring platforms. Tools for monitoring budget expenditures, conducting tenders, or voting by deputies. For example, the Open Spending system, which allows you to see where public funds are going.
• Platforms for public discussions. These are online forums where residents can discuss important decisions for the city — from changing public transport routes to developing a community development strategy.

The main advantage of Civic Tech is accessibility. Many solutions work on the basis of open-source platforms that can be adapted to the needs of a specific city or organization. And thanks to modern low-code and no-code tools, even small communities or NGOs can create their own digital services.

Global Civic Tech cases: how it works in practice

1. FixMyStreet (United Kingdom) One of the most famous examples of Civic Tech. The platform allows citizens to report infrastructure problems (potholes, broken lights, garbage) and automatically sends a request to the appropriate city service. The whole process is transparent: the user sees the status of the request and receives a notification about its resolution. Why it’s important: It increases the efficiency of municipalities, strengthens trust between citizens and authorities, as problems become visible and public.
2. Participatory Budgeting (Brazil, Porto Alegre) It was in Brazil over 30 years ago that the concept of participatory budgeting was first implemented, where residents directly decide how to spend part of the city budget. This could be the construction of a school, park reconstruction, or road repairs. Now this approach has spread to over 1,500 cities worldwide. Why it’s important: It involves the community in decision-making, increases government accountability, and strengthens local democracy.
3. Code for America (USA) One of the most powerful Civic Tech initiatives in the world. A team of developers, designers, and analysts helps government agencies implement modern digital solutions. Among the examples is a platform for automatic clearing of criminal records for minor offenses, which has helped hundreds of thousands of people get a second chance in life. Why it’s important: Code for America proves that Civic Tech can work at the national level, changing the lives of millions of people.
4. Decidim (Spain, Barcelona) An open platform for citizen participation in political decision-making. Citizens can initiate discussions, vote for ideas, participate in public debates. Decidim is developed as open-source, and it is already used by cities around the world. Why it’s important: It enhances citizen participation in democratic processes and creates a space for real dialogue between authorities and people.
5. e-Estonia (Estonia) Estonia is a leader in digital governance. Almost all government services are available online: voting, business registration, taxes, medical records. An important part of this system is the e-citizenship program, which allows people from around the world to open a business in Estonia without leaving home. Why it’s important: Estonia demonstrates how a comprehensive approach to Civic Tech can change a country, making it more open, efficient, and attractive for investment.

These cases show that Civic Tech is not just individual services, but a whole philosophy of participation. And it works in communities of any scale: from small villages to entire countries.

Ukrainian examples of Civic Tech: how technologies help here and now

1. Open Budget (OpenBudget) A platform that allows Ukrainians to track state and local budget expenditures. Everyone can see where community funds are going: how much is allocated for education, healthcare, or infrastructure. This is one of the key tools for openness in public finances. Why it’s important: Trust in the government increases when funding processes become transparent. People can control whether the hospital for which they voted at budget hearings is actually being repaired.
2. “My School” An electronic system for tracking attendance, grades, and communication between students, parents, and schools. It already works in many cities of Ukraine. Parents can see their children’s progress in real-time, communicate with teachers, and plan the educational process. Why it’s important: This is not just automation — it’s involving families in the educational process, increasing trust in schools, and controlling the quality of education.
3. Prozorro and Prozorro.Sales Ukraine’s main platform for public procurement, operating on the principle of “everyone sees everything.” Prozorro ensures fairness and competitiveness in the distribution of public funds. Prozorro.Sales is a platform for selling state property, renting assets, etc. Why it’s important: The system has proven that transparent bidding reduces corruption risks, saves millions in public funds, and makes this process understandable to the public.
4. “Unified Platform for Local Petitions” A service that allows community residents to initiate important changes at the local level: from setting up playgrounds to implementing new environmental programs. If a petition collects the required number of votes, local authorities are obliged to consider it. Why it’s important: It involves people in decision-making in their cities and villages, giving them the opportunity to influence policy not only through elections.
5. “Diia” and “Diia City” The “Diia” app turns a smartphone into a pocket office: documents, tax payments, receiving services — all in one place. “Diia City” is a special legal regime for IT companies that promotes the development of the digital economy. Why it’s important: “Diia” has become a symbol of Ukraine’s digitalization, and “Diia City” creates attractive conditions for IT businesses, which, in turn, can invest in Civic Tech projects.

Ukraine is already a leader in some areas of Civic Tech, and these examples prove that digitalization is the path to a more open society.

Why Civic Tech is important for community development

Civic Tech has long ceased to be a fashionable phrase, the meaning of which people only guess. Now it is a tool for involving citizens in decision-making and increasing the efficiency of government. When a community gets access to data, has the opportunity to submit petitions, participate in budgeting, or control expenses, it ceases to be a passive observer. It becomes an active participant in change.

Building trust: Transparency technologies, such as Prozorro or open budgets, show the community that its voice is important and that the government is accountable. Effective management: Electronic services automate routines, save time and resources, leaving more space for real change. Social cohesion: Civic Tech platforms unite citizens, help them form an agenda together and implement initiatives. This is the bridge that allows authorities and citizens to move in the same direction.

Recommendations for NGOs and municipalities: how to implement Civic Tech

• Start with simple services
  Implement basic solutions: online appointments, open databases, transparent budgets. This creates a first impression of openness.
• Involve citizens
  Conduct public discussions, hearings, surveys. It is important that Civic Tech does not remain just a tool — dialogue is needed.
• Use ready-made solutions
  Take advantage of successful examples from Prozorro, “Unified Platform for Petitions,” “Diia,” or international platforms (for example, Consul, Decide Madrid).
• Train employees and the community
  Technology is just a tool. People need to be explained how to use them to get results.
• Partnership with technology companies
  Collaborate with IT companies that can help adapt solutions to the needs of the community. Here, INOXOFT INFO can be a guide and consultant.

Civic Tech: technologies that give people back their voice

Civic Tech is not about “another app,” but about profound changes in the interaction between citizens and authorities. It is these technologies that help restore trust, show that everyone’s voice matters, and that routine processes can be transparent and understandable.

Communities that implement Civic Tech gain an advantage in development: they manage resources more efficiently, respond faster to people’s needs, and involve even those who previously stood aside. This is the path to creating an active, cohesive society where everyone has a chance to influence the future. Civic Tech changes not only tools — it changes approaches, culture, and thinking.