E-democracy comprises the use of electronic communication technologies, such as the Internet, in enhancing democratic processes within a democratic republic or representative democracy. Growing evidence points to the rapid expansion of e-Participation as a tool for engagement and strengthened collaboration between governments and citizens.

• The Internet also enables citizens to participate in online discussions and debates about topics of interest in public or local life, and even take part in elections by e-voting.
• Where traditional, face-to-face engagement has limited participants, online community engagement enables more people to have their say, at their convenience.
• It expands and diversifies opportunities for citizens to engage with the state and other institutions in ways that bypass traditional intermediaries.
• Digital citizen engagement is the two-way interaction between citizens and institutions or the private sector which gives citizens a stake in decision-making. Citizens are now able to access information on their elected representatives, national and state budgets and the laws that govern them so that they can make more informed choices.
• The Internet makes it possible not only to publish far more information more rapidly but also to continually update this information so that citizens are informed of the latest developments in their areas of interest. The fact that citizens are better informed empowers them to better participate in the democratic life of their own country and on a pan-European and international scale.
• Reduces the costs of participation by tapping into existing technology, reducing the need to, e.g., travel, be present at fixed times, and incur venue costs both for the citizens and the intervention.
• Especially in the era of media and "fake news," it has never been more important for institutions to have a direct way of engaging their citizens. Institutions need to ensure that the facts are correctly communicated.
• There is not one perfect way to engage with stakeholders. Using more than one outreach method for your engagement process will pave the way to increased stakeholder participation and building stronger relations with your stakeholder community.