The Infoparticipa Seal awards 145 administrations for their information transparency

The awards ceremony took place yesterday at the Rectorat building of the UAB. The rector, Javier Lafuente, took the opportunity to congratulate the public administrations awarded with the Infoparticipa Seal, as well as to “highlight the work carried out by the evaluation teams led by the research group ComSET of the UAB” in an initiative that he described as “a model example of collaboration between the University and local governments”.

According to Rector Lafuente, “those of us who have responsibilities within a public administration must guarantee the right to information and be absolutely transparent when exercising government action and managing public resources”. He also wanted to emphasise that “the deepening of a participatory and transparent governance model that improves accountability mechanisms is part of the strategic goals of the UAB”.

Twelfth edition

This twelfth edition of the awards corresponds to the year 2024. Of the 947 municipalities in Catalonia, 204 municipalities passed the evaluation and 133 obtained the Infoparticipa Seal, that is, seventeen more than last year. Twenty-six municipallites reached 100% positive indicators (a figure that also represents an improvement over the 17 of the previous evaluation): L'Aldea, Arenys de Mar, Arenys de Munt, Barcelona, Calafell, Esplugues de Llobregat, Fonollosa, Hostalric, La Llagosta, Llinars del Vallès, Manresa, Mataró, Molins de Rei, Olèrdola, Olesa de Montserrat, Peralada, Premià de Dalt, Premià de Mar, Sallent, Salou, Sant Climent de Llobregat, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Pol de Mar, Sant Quirze del Vallès, Vic and Viladecans.

Despite the positive evolution researchers highlight that, after twelve editions, only 14% of Catalan city councils obtain the seal. The evaluation placed special emphasis this year on information about the elected members of municipalities, county councils and deputations, as well as institutional agendas and activities.

It should also be noted that, once again this year, the role of women mayors stands out. In Catalonia, according to the results of the municipal elections held in May 2023, 27% of mayors are women in Catalonia's city councils. It is a fact that, among the municipalities that receive the Infoparticipa Seal, 34% have a female mayor. In other words, town councils presided by women obtain proportionally more awards than others.

This year, in addition, the Infoparticipa Seal has been awarded to nine county councils and three provincial councils. The distinguished county councils - in this case, one less than the previous year - are those of Anoia, Alt Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Berguedà, Gironès, Maresme, Moianès, Vallès Occidental and Vallès Oriental (the only one with 100% positive indicators). As in previous evaluations, the provincial councils of Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona were awarded the seal.

Seven extraordinary prizes were also awarded for the quality of news writing according to the criteria of the Infoparticipa project: they were given to the websites of the town councils of Bigues i Riells del Fai, Molins de Rei, Premià de Dalt, Solsona, Tiana and Viladecans, as well as to the county council of Vallès Oriental.

Fifty-two indicators

The 52 indicators established by ComSET are based on the 2013 Transparency Law and respond to the following basic questions: Who are the political representatives?, How do they manage collective resources?, How do they manage economic resources?, What information do they provide about the municipality and the management of collective resources?, and What tools do they offer for citizen participation?

An indicator is not validated if the information is not fully updated, understandable and easy to find. This year, special attention has been paid to the information on town councillors, on Spanish deputies and Catalan ministers, as well as on the agendas, both institutional and activities. The results of the analysis are introduced in an online platform where the “infometer” can be consulted, in which different colours represent the regional administrations on a map of Catalonia.

A certifying council made up of representatives from different institutions - the UAB, the association and federation of Catalan municipalities, the Anti-Fraud Office, the Association of Journalists of Catalonia, the Association of Public Communication and two research institutes, the ICPS and the IGOP - analyses the results collected by the ComSET group and awards the distinctions. To obtain the Infoparticipa Seal, in the case of localities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, 95% of positive indicators are required; municipalities with 10,001 to 50,000 inhabitants require a minimum of 90%; between 5,001 and 10,000 inhabitants, 85%; between 1,001 and 5,000 inhabitants, 80%; and finally, in the case of municipalities with less than 1,000 inhabitants, it is awarded on the basis of 75% of positive indicators. As for county councils and provincial councils, the Infoparticipa Seal is awarded to institutions that achieve a minimum of 85% of positive indicators, regardless of population.