Participation

We are living times in which the citizens request a more direct participation in the decisions that affect them, claiming to be heard and that their voice is taken into account. Likewise, the problems that the local governments are facing, are becoming more and more complex, and require cooperation and collective intelligence to be tackled. For all of this, it becomes necessary to open up the municipal decision-making processes to the citizens, and to advance towards a more deliberative model of democracy. On the other hand, through citizen participation the commitment and civic responsibility is regenerated and the feeling of belonging to the city is strengthened.

The promotion of an active, critical and co-responsible citizenship is a key objective of the Educating Cities. That is why supporting skills for active participation; education in values and capacity building to promote grassroots movements becomes crucial in building better cities (articles 9 and 18 of the Charter of Educating Cities).

Gunsan (OTHER)

Outreach Community Cultural Café Project

Initiative that transforms businesses and community spaces into open classrooms, where citizens can learn, connect, and create new job opportunities.

Castell d'Aro, Platja d'Aro and S'Agaró (Spain)

THE WORLD’S SQUARE (Plaça del Món)

A community space for welcoming and cultural exchange that supports the integration of immigrants, fostering social cohesion and community involvement through cooking and music workshops, etc.

Rosario (Argentina)

Meeting of Neighbourhood Historians

The project in Rosario seeks to give a voice to neighborhood historians and chroniclers, who collect local stories. It promotes a collective space to exchange experiences and experiences, preserving community historical memory.

Montevideo (Uruguay)

Espacio Modelo covered public park

Montevideo’s Espacio Modelo reimagines the former market as an inclusive public park. This cultural and sports center fosters civic engagement and intergenerational interaction, offering everything from art workshops to inclusive sports to drive social transformation.

Geneva (Switzerland)

Neighbourhood Agreements: an instrument of participatory democracy in Geneva

The Neighbourhood Agreements represent a commitment of the City Council of Geneva, local inhabitants, workers and retailers to improving the quality of life of their neighbourhoods by identifying needs and proposing specific projects.

Mexico City (Mexico)

The Oriente Arts and Trades Factory – FARO

This initiative is both a cultural center and a training facility which has become a hub of artistic creation, a space for art-focused dialogue, and a forum for diverse and important cultural expression.

Bologna (Italy)

Zanardi Houses Project

This project is based on the common search for new and inventive solutions to the crisis -which has changed the families’ circumstances-, through supportive responses.

Sabadell (Spain)

Solidarity Education Network

The secondary schools of Sabadell established the Solidarity Educational Network to promote education in values through cooperation between students and local entities, facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences.

Lisbon (Portugal)

The Ajuda Volunteer Pool. Solidarity Community: volunteers to fight isolation/loneliness

The “Volunteer Pool in Ajuda” project seeks to complement social services for older people, through a network of trained volunteers who provide home support, improving their socio-affective well-being and accessibility to care.

Almada (Portugal)

The Yellow Fiesta

The Yellow Party, organized by the Municipal House of Youth of Santo Amaro, promotes local culture and art through diversified activities, involving associations and raising awareness about the role of the Municipal House.

Zaragoza (Spain)

estonoesunsolar (this is not a plot)

This programme arose as an employment project aimed at the long-term unemployed that consists in cleaning up abandoned and run-down vacant plots in Zaragoza’s historical centre. These spaces are provided with a number of temporary uses, in order the citizens can enjoy them.

Alaquàs (Spain)

Youth Reporters

During the 2009-2010 school year, the city council of Alaquàs set up a Network of Youth Reporters at the high schools in order to foster youth participation and bring young people closer to the policies and actions of the city.

Sever do Vouga (Portugal)

Local Volunteers Bank

In 2002 LACSEV was founded to support isolated users of the Sever do Vouga Health Center. In 2004 they created a technical aid bank and in 2005 a volunteer project.

Barcelona (Spain)

Network of Urban Vegetable Gardens

The experience promotes citizen integration through urban gardens, where retirees cultivate plots, creating green spaces. In addition, it improves the quality of life, promotes organic agriculture and offers educational activities for schoolchildren.

Manresa (Spain)

Educative stamp

The project seeks to give value to the good educational actions carried out in Manresa and to those who carry them out, promoting civility, citizen participation and social cohesion through the Educational Seal.