A/HRC/39/28 (b) Impartially channel the views of the rights holders concerned into actual decision-making processes; (c) Be provided with an adequate budget and human resources with expertise on the different groups for which participation needs to be encouraged and enabled; (d) Be accessible, inclusive, gender-responsive and representative. 59. When decision-making processes may have an impact on children, States should ensure that the right of children to express their views freely and to be heard is guaranteed, including by establishing child-friendly, age-appropriate, gendersensitive, inclusive and safe mechanisms for their meaningful engagement. 60. In peace processes and post-conflict and humanitarian situations, States should consider establishing formal structures for the participation of those individuals and groups that are or have been most affected by the conflict, such as children, young people, minorities, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, refugees and women and girls, in the development, implementation and monitoring of all relevant legislation, policies, services and programmes. Any such structures should be designed to give effect to the right of those individuals to make a free and informed choice on sustainable solutions concerning them. 61. The institutional framework for participation should make it possible, at all times, to create and use new modalities of participation, including through the use of ICT. 62. The performance of participatory frameworks, including structures and procedures, should be regularly evaluated and assessed in order to adjust and improve them and build in innovative ways of and opportunities for participation, on the basis of the needs of affected rights holders. (b) Measures to ensure meaningful participation at different stages of decision-making 63. The following recommendations provide guidance for the relevant public authorities of States on ensuring meaningful participation before, during and after decision-making. Participation before decision-making 64. Rights holders should be given the opportunity to participate in shaping the agenda of decision-making processes in order to ensure that their priorities and needs are included in the identification of the subject matter and content for discussion. This can be done, for example, through online consultations, public hearings or forums, or working groups or committees composed of representatives of public authorities and members of the society. Where working groups or committees are established, the relevant public authorities should adopt transparent and inclusive criteria and processes for the representation of members of disadvantaged groups. 65. Elected representatives should play a critical role in supporting these processes, including through their participation and their representation of the constituencies to which they are accountable. 66. Rights holders who are directly or likely to be affected by, or who may have an interest in, a proposed project, plan, programme, law or policy should be identified and notified. Notification should be provided to all such rights holders in a timely, adequate and effective manner. In addition, the participation of any other rights holders wishing to participate should be facilitated. When decisions have countrywide or very widespread impact, for example during constitution-making and reform processes, everyone should be identified as potentially affected. 67. Information regarding the decision-making process should contain clear, realistic and practical goals in order to manage the expectations of those participating. Information about the process should include, as a minimum, the following elements: 11