Chafafiya.ma

Information Portal

Source in Arabic: ESCWA-OECD Case Study - Chafafiya.ma Information Portal, Morocco

The information access portal Chafafiya.ma is part of a set of mechanisms for supporting Law No. 31-13 on the right to access information, issued in 2018 to promote openness and transparency in public utilities and strengthen their interaction with the community.   This unified portal relies on information technology to enhance efficiency in public services. It allows applicants seeking information to track their requests and receive responses online, and guides them throughout the process.   Great efforts are being made towards the successful operation of the portal; and these include engaging, framing and following up with all administrations, training officers assigned to the portal, and continuously developing the services rendered by the portal.

Implementation: 2020

Contributor(s)

The portal was established by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Administration Reform with the support of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and in coordination with public administrations.

Purpose

This portal was developed in 2020, following the entry into force of Law No. 31-13, as a means to facilitate the submission and tracing of requests for information, manage the processing of applications, and ensure that information is provided in a timely and effective manner.

Functions

The process for requesting information is outlined as follows:

• Applicants complete and submit a request for information through the portal.
• Applicants get an email notification confirming receipt of their request with a tracking number.
• The relevant administration receives the request through the web-system for examination.
• The administration processes the request based on the conditions specified by the law.
• If the applicant is not satisfied with the information provided or receives no response within the legal time limit, a complaint can be filed to the Head of administration through the portal.
• If the applicant receives no response to the complaint within a period of 15 days, a new complaint can be filed to the Right to Information Access Commission.

Clients

• Citizens and residents in Moroccan wishing to obtain information.
• Officers assigned by their administrations/ institutions to share information and manage the processing of requests.
• Public administrations/ institutions with an oversight role and that ensuring the satisfaction of users and stakeholders.

Outcome

The information access portal has achieved the following results:

• Increased number of requests for information as compared to the period prior to the launch.
• Broad participation of administrations and institutions in the portal.

Impact

It is expected that the portal will have positive effects in the future, including:

• Enhanced processing of requests for information.
• Encouraging proactive dissemination of information.
• Fostering a spirit of competition amongst administrations to promote transparency and access to information.

Challenges

The challenge lies in ensuring that all administrations, institutions, and authorities are involved in the portal, and that their assigned officers are willing to use and update it, although it is not stipulated by the law.

Useful links

Chafafiya.ma Information Portal
Open Government website
2018 Law on the Right to obtain information
Youtube video on the portal