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Public Outreach

October 2008By Adelina Murtezaj – Public Relation Officer For Inaugural Partnership Activity between ICC and ERO

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• According to the Law on Energy Regulator sessions of the Board According to the Law on Energy Regulator sessions of the Board are normally open to the public and ERO can decide that a session are normally open to the public and ERO can decide that a session or a debate on a particular item on the agenda can be closedor a debate on a particular item on the agenda can be closed

• In the Statute of ERO, Article 29.11 it is specified that The Board In the Statute of ERO, Article 29.11 it is specified that The Board ensures the publication of work through open sessions of the Board, ensures the publication of work through open sessions of the Board, cooperation with public media, publishing the annual reports and cooperation with public media, publishing the annual reports and organizing press conferences.organizing press conferences.

• ERO has assured the confidentiality of information with the Rule ERO has assured the confidentiality of information with the Rule on Confidentiality of Information, and transparency with the on Confidentiality of Information, and transparency with the Statute of ERO Statute of ERO

• To be develop Rule on Transparency and Rule on Public To be develop Rule on Transparency and Rule on Public Participation Participation

Public Outreach

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Types of Public meetings

• Public Hearings

• Public Sessions

• Workshops

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Typical Notification Methods

• Paid advertisements in daily newspapers

• Provision of press releases to media

• Distribution to community agencies and organizations

• Posting on web sites

• Notification by e-mail, phone, fax or mail to identified lists

• When it is a discussion on a draft rule, the draft is sent by email to stakeholders usually 2 weeks ahead.

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Participants’ Registry

• Registry of individuals and organizations who take positive action to request notifications

• Method, content and extent of notification varies according to situation and expressed desires of those on the registry

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Conduct of a Public Meeting

• Overall Goals of ERO on Public Meetings

• Openness• Fairness• Consistency• Efficiency• Progress toward decision

• For Public

• Access to information and opportunity to question and comment

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Public Hearings• For information only, no decision is being made• Topics

• Discussion on draft rules Discussion on draft rules • Tariff review or other topic determined by BoardTariff review or other topic determined by Board

• Strategic objectives• Gather informationGather information• Inform the publicInform the public

• Audience differs depending on nature and content of meeting• Follow-up

• Any materials to those who have requested itAny materials to those who have requested it• Incorporation of the received commentsIncorporation of the received comments• Publicity or comment regarding hearingPublicity or comment regarding hearing• Record of proceedings, including circulation to those in consultation Record of proceedings, including circulation to those in consultation

processprocess

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Decision Meeting Process• Establish Agenda and circulate to Board members 5 days in advance • Notification Published on the web page 4 days in advance• emailed to all interested parts

• Professional staff presentation of issue and recommendation if appropriateProfessional staff presentation of issue and recommendation if appropriate• Questions and comments from BoardQuestions and comments from Board• Comments from public on the agenda itemComments from public on the agenda item• Question and comments from BoardQuestion and comments from Board• Board debateBoard debate• Board decisionBoard decision• Period for public comment on any issue at end of agendaPeriod for public comment on any issue at end of agenda

• Record of Meeting• MinutesMinutes• Publicity and publication Publicity and publication • Written decision published on the web pageWritten decision published on the web page

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Roles of Staff and Board• Administrative and Public Relations

• NotificationNotification• Response to QuestionsResponse to Questions• Printing and circulation of documentsPrinting and circulation of documents• Maintain archivesMaintain archives

• Professional Staff• Prepare presentation as assigned for Board, including recommendationsPrepare presentation as assigned for Board, including recommendations• Compile summary and background documents, including alternatives Compile summary and background documents, including alternatives

consideredconsidered• Submit to Board in prior to meeting if possibleSubmit to Board in prior to meeting if possible

• Board• Provide instructions on staff responsibilities related to meetingsProvide instructions on staff responsibilities related to meetings• Review documents and materials before meetingReview documents and materials before meeting• Participate fully in discussions and deliberationsParticipate fully in discussions and deliberations• Take decision Take decision

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Regulation and Media in Kosovo

• The concept of Energy Regulation is new in Kosovo. June 2004 ERO was established

• The first independent daily newspaper was published on 1997

• Independent Radio & TV started their operation after the war, 1999.

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Media in Kosovo

• By the end of 2003, there were more than 110 electronic media outlets.

• There are 89 radio stations

• 23 TV stations

• 9 newspapers

• 3 News Agencies

• Although the market is small around (2 million in a territory of approximately 11,000 km² ).

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Open to questions

Thank you for your attention