Government Crowdsourcing in the Russian Federation

The article considers the concept of online crowdsourcing as a modern information technology solution aimed at establishing closer interaction between civil society and the state. Its role in the system of Russian public administration is shown through identifying the objectives and results of online crowdsourcing projects. Crowdsourcing technologies offer new ways of supporting public administration and have been rapidly introduced in different countries. Information technologies contribute to a wider citizen involvement in public administration problem-solving. Citizens are given the opportunity to more actively participate in managerial decision-making and the development of governmental programs, both at the federal level and at the level of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Crowdsourcing makes it possible to build up a fundamentally new model of Russian public administration. The platforms created so far allow every Russian citizen, regardless of their place of residence, social status, work employment, and lifestyle, to broach various subjects, to put forward initiatives aimed at solving issues raised, to discuss draft legal acts. This ensures more active public involvement in managing state affairs. As a result, the state gains more extensive and active public feedback, which supports government efforts to improve the quality of life.