The results of the 2013 European Network of Ombudsmen survey are available on the Extranet at:

http://eno.ombudsman.europa.eu/cms/home/resources/library/ombudsmens-mandates-and-working/cooperation.html

Several questions in the survey concerned proposals for new activities for the Network. The key results were as follows:

• The majority of respondents "strongly agreed" or "agreed" with all of the proposals with one exception – most respondents "disagreed" or "disagreed strongly" with reducing the number of languages in which the Network Newsletter is published
  • 85% of those who expressed an opinion were in favour of the proposal that interactions between staff working in different sectors of activity (e.g., the environment, freedom of information, human resources, etc.) should be increased  ("in favour" means those who "strongly agreed" or "agreed", while "expressed an opinion" excludes those who did not answer the question)
  • 82% were in favour of the proposal that the network of liaison officers should focus on sharing information and best practice regarding EU law and case handling
  • 82% were in favour of the proposal that the “News” and “Resources” sections of the Extranet should be opened to the public
  • 76% were in favour of the proposal that the Network Newsletter, which is currently produced as a paper publication twice a year, should be replaced by a monthly electronic newsletter
  • 68% were in favour of the proposal that a network of communication officers should be introduced in addition to the existing network of liaison officers
  • 61% were in favour of the proposal that liaison officers should be introduced at the regional level
  • Only 28% were in favour of the proposal that the newsletter, which is currently published in five languages, should be published in English only

• Of these seven proposals, the three that the greatest number of respondents considered to be a priority when asked to select a maximum of three were:
  • The Network Newsletter, which is currently produced as a paper publication twice a year, should be replaced by a monthly electronic newsletter
  • The network of liaison officers should focus on sharing information and best practice regarding EU law and case handling
  • Interactions between staff working in different sectors of activity (e.g., the environment, freedom of information, human resources, etc.) should be increased

These results are invaluable in showing what new activities the Network's members would like to see developed and in showing the strong support that exists for maintaining the linguistic diversity of the Newsletter.

Ben Hagard
Head of the European Ombudsman's Communication Unit