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Are you interested in exploring successful participatory and deliberative processes from Europe?
Are you looking for in-depth analysis and insights about concrete participatory and deliberative processes?
Are you looking to activate your own participatory and deliberative processes?
If so, then visit Eutropian’s newly launched Toolbox of Experimental Participatory Methods, a comprehensive resource designed to democratise decision-making by harnessing the power of participatory democracy tools.
The toolbox responds to a major European challenge: the need to strengthen legitimacy, identification and engagement within the democratic public sphere. It investigates the ways in which social movements coupled with local government reform initiatives manifesting themselves in local-level experiments, create momentum for political change that include more inclusive and participatory forms of governance.
THE TOOLBOX AIMS TO:
Transfer and innovate existing methods from Europe, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in governance processes. Offer tangible solutions, addressing the exclusion of marginalised voices, extending the circle of actors involved in decision-making. Provide public authorities and civic stakeholders with practical tools, case studies, and best practices, promoting a culture of participation. Foster a mindset of exploration and learning, catering to both experienced practitioners and newcomers. Support the promotion of binding decision-making processes for a more
The Toolbox of Experimental Participatory Methods aims to transfer and innovate existing methods from European cities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in governance processes. By offering tangible solutions, it addresses the exclusion of marginalised voices, extending the circle of actors involved in decision-making. Accessible as an online database, it provides municipalities and stakeholders with practical tools, case studies, and best practices, promoting a culture of participation.
The Experimental Toolbox of Participatory Methods has been developed under the framework of EUARENAS -Cities as Arenas of Political Innovation in the Strengthening of Deliberative and Participatory Democracy, a Horizon 2020 funded project by the project partner Eutropian, an organisation developing collaborative planning processes in various cities in Europe.
For the Toolbox of Experimental Participatory Methods, we meticulously curated cases from diverse corners of Europe and beyond, aiming to capture a wide array of participatory approaches and geographic representation.
Each selected case, classified under six broader participatory methods such as participatory bodies involved in co-governance, mini-publics, participatory budgeting, digital participation platforms, bottom-up participatory initiatives, and citizens’ assemblies, stands as a notable example of democratic innovation, embodying unique strategies and outcomes.
In order to help users navigate through its many dimensions, the filter mechanism of the toolbox allows them to narrow down the list of items to a manageable number that satisfies specific needs. The filtering categories are the following: Methods/ tool; Scale of the process; Initiators/ coordinators; Participants; Level of participation; Duration; and Transferability.
Are you interested in learning about participatory methods and processes but unsure about the exact meaning of key concepts? Check out the Toolbox of Experimental Participatory Methods glossary of 100 key concepts!