The Challenges of a Cross-Border Public Participation Process: Methods used and implementation of the European Citizens' Consultations Project
Contact:
- Stefan Schäfers, IFOK GmbH (stefan.schaefers@ifok.de)
- Nina Elzer, IFOK GmbH (nina.elzer@ifok.de)
- Nicolas Bach, nexus GmbH (bach@nexus.tu-berlin.de)
- Laszlo Varkonyi, Budapest University of Technology & Economics (varkonyi@inno.bme.hu)
Short description of the case
This case is developed on the basis of the first pan-european participatory project including all 27 members, led by the King Baudouin Foundation in 2006-2007.
Participants have to evaluate the methodology and the overall organisation of a pan-European participatory project aiming at inspiring policy-makers, both national and European, for the next phase of Europe’s development. They are introduced to the context, the building blocks and the major organisational elements of the European Citizens’ Consultation project. They are asked to :
- identify shortcomings
- adapt the project accordingly
- discuss a possible future strategy of the project
Training objectives
- to assess methods and processes designed for achieving impact at both the national and international levels
- to be aware of the challenges of planning and organising a cross-border public participation process
- to reflect on organisational aspects of a pan-European dialogue event that deals with 27 national levels and partners in all Member States
This case is specifically designed for people interested in the management of public participation procedures. It will be also relevant for people with a general interest in participation in science and technology issues or willing to reflect in these topics.
Training Method
Participants work in small groups to asses the project and formulate recommendations for improvement. They consider consecutively the conception and the practical implementation of the project:
- Methodologies (agenda-setting, planning cells, simultaneous national events, synthesis)
- Implementation (recruitment; partner management including coordination, planning, training, budget; simultaneousness, interrelatedness, integration and coordination of events; media & outreach)
Previous knowledge required:
Basic knowledge on participatory processes
Guideline on how to work with the case study
1. Read: the ID card European Cititzens’ Consultation [81 kb, pdf]
A. INTRODUCTION
ECC video: Participants gain visual impressions of the project while learning about the different project phases and building blocs.
General context and ECC history: referenda rejected in France and Netherlands, “period of reflection”; Commission develops Plan D and Action Plan and issues a call for proposal. ECC process is being designed based on the example of the “Meeting of Minds” project. (see ../download/ECC_CIPAST_ppt_IntroV1.ppt [512 kb, ppt])
B. FRAMING
Introduction into the major building blocs of the ECC process, i.e. the Agenda-Setting Event, Citizens’ Juries, National Consultations, Synthesis Event. Participants ask for clarifications (see ../download/ECC_Outreach_CIPAST_WS_Methodology_V1.ppt [988.5 kb, ppt])
The participants split into groups to work in parallel
C: EXCERCISE
Guidelines of the exercise: participants groups work successively in:
- the methodological design: they will discuss the pros and cons of the actual ECC building blocs and suggests future developments for the process
- the practical implementation: they will be informed about the major organisational elements and problems encountered to suggest solutions
Task 1: the groups go into discussing the pros and cons of the different building blocs and design an improved future ECC-process on the basis of the work made previously.
The working groups present each other their results (also visually using cards and pin boards) and discuss them.
The groups receive an introduction into the major organisational elements of the ECC process, i.e. recruitment, event organisation & coordination, funding & budget, interpretation, media & outreach. (see ../download/ECC_CIPAST_WS_Implementation_V1.ppt [1000 kb, ppt])
Task 2: bearing in mind restrictions, such as limits in time, budget etc, each group find solutions to the challenges related to:
- recruitment
- partner management (coordination, planning, training, budget)
- simultaneousness, interrelatedness, integration and coordination of events
- media & outreach
The different working groups get together and present their results
General discussion
D. EVALUATION
12: Please fill in E1: the handout participants impressions: positive and negative about this case workshop [77.5 kb, pdf]
F. SCHEDULE
(based on Procida workshop):
| Time | Session | Content | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Introduction to the case study and ECC methodology | ECC video: Participants gain visual impressions of the project while learning about the different project phases and building blocs. General context and ECC history: referenda rejected in France and Netherlands, “period of reflection”; Commission develops Plan D and Action Plan and issues a call for proposal. ECC process is being designed based on the example of the “Meeting of Minds” project. Guidelines of the exercise: participants will split into groups to work successively in:
|
Pin board features the building blocs and its respective elements |
| 09:40 | Split into groups | The participants split into groups to work in parallel | Groups of approx. 8, 1 facilitator per group. |
| 09:45 | Work in groups | Task 1: the groups go into discussing the pros and cons of the different building blocs and design an improved future ECC-process on the basis of the work made previously. | One facilitator per group is available for questions. The facilitators document participants’ input (pros/cons) on cards next to the respective element |
| 10:45 | Break | ||
| 11:00 | Plenary | The working groups present each other their results (also visually using cards and pin boards) and discuss them. | Facilitators document ideas and comments |
| 11.30 | Introduction to ECC implementation | The groups receive an introduction into the major organisational elements of the ECC process, i.e. recruitment, event organisation & coordination, funding & budget, interpretation, media & outreach. | Pin board features the organisational elements |
| 12:00 | Work in groups | Task 2: bearing in mind restrictions, such as limits in time, budget etc, each group find solutions to the challenges related to:
| facilitators provide clarifications, they note interesting points and display them on a pin board |
| 13:00 | Plenary | The different working groups get together and present their results | Facilitators document ideas and comments |
| 13:30 | Plenary | General discussion | Pin boards are put together, facilitators document conclusions on cards. |
| 14:00 | Lunch |