9: Participation

Build citizen participation from the bottom

Other Information:

This study has shown that most citizens are interested primarily in single specific issues which have a direct impact/influence on their own lives where they live, whilst some are also interested in such issues which have wider geographic relevance like climate change, migration, crime, economic conditions, etc. These interests should be used to build citizen participation in a European public space from the bottom. Show how local debates have wider European relevance and provide tools and mechanisms for hooking them together in a two-way process that both provides context for a local debate as well as concrete substance for the wider debate. Localities can, also, in this way learn from each other. Specific topic hooks should be used to extend the participation process and encourage a natural process of widening out to broader multi-issues many of which will have European resonance. Harness informal social networks, both online and off, in this process.

Stakeholder(s):

• Citizens

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

Content