The first phase of the Project focused on designing the conceptual framework for the digital local public sphere. The second phase covered both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative research (including content analysis of online sites). A comparative analysis has been carried out of the following regions: Lower Silesia (Poland), Kent (UK), Viken (Norway) and Marche (Italy).
Work performed during LocalCom lifetime enriched the scientific field in terms of the new knowledge based on the comparative analysis. Moreover the project brought practical solutions for building dynamic public sphere at the local level. The framework identified five core issues for the development of local public sphere in the digital age, which were analysed in detail during the research:
1) Digitalisation of public administration platforms
2) Existence of local information platforms/portals
3) Existence of platforms of community groups and local organisations
4) Extent and the ways in which traditional local media moved to digital space
5) Need for audiences to be familiar with digital technologies
Findings from the research were disseminated to both the academic research community as well as non-academic beneficiaries. The findings and recommendations of the project argued that a successful digital strategy for communication management at the local level requires coordinated action between local administrations, businesses, media outlets and non-governmental organisations. The implementation of the proposed solutions and actions could lead to the following results:
•minimising digital exclusion and increasing inhabitants’ participation in community life,
•increasing the quality of life of citizens, and consequently improving the image of public administration,
•increasing the use of modern IT tools in communication,
•increasing the level of transparency and public participation,
•upgrading the region’s IT infrastructure and standardising the solutions used,
•improving the quality of communication between local administration and media outlets,
•improving strategic communication management standards,
•intensifying research on the development of the information society especially in case of local public sphere.
