Nets4Dem

Leveraging democratic innovation to build climate resilience ?? As the climate crisis accelerates, cities are rethinking not only their climate policies but also how decisions are made. How can citizen participation make climate action more effective, fair, and impactful? The Climate Democracy Lab, hosted by Eurocities and Grenoble-Alpes Métropole brings together city representatives, democracy experts, and changemakers to answer this question. We invite you to join us - registrations close on March 14 ? Through interactive workshops, peer learning, and real-life case studies, you will tackle key dilemmas of: ?? Balancing urgent climate action with long-term sustainability goals ?? Aligning local adaptation with global climate commitments ?? Ensuring a fair and inclusive green transition that leaves no one behind ??? Supporting behavioural change through structural transformation in governance and urban planning Learn more about why democratic innovation is essential for advancing climate policies ?? https://lnkd.in/eHWaPGMJ

The Nets4Dem project's Climate Democracy Lab takes place in #Grenoble from 25-27 March. ?? ?? Organised by Eurocities and?Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, this innovative event brings together city officials and democracy experts to explore how participatory democracy can drive effective, inclusive urban climate action. Ahead of the event, we spoke with Hélène Clot, Director of Strategy, Innovation, and Citizen Participation at Grenoble-Alpes Metropole. Hélène explained what participatory democracy is, why it is important, and how Grenoble is pioneering new ways to give citizens a direct say in the design of ambitious and socially inclusive climate policies. ?? Read our interview ?? https://lnkd.in/eHWaPGMJ ?? And find out how you can join the Climate Democracy Lab: ??https://lnkd.in/eXmvDa6m Registrations are open until 14 March - but there are only a few places left! #ClimateAction #DemocraticInnovation #CitizenParticipation #Nets4Dem Aleksandra Zi?tek Caroline SCHLENKER Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence Bordeaux Métropole The City of Reykjavik PETR Ariège Gemeente Rotterdam

How can we turn conflict into a catalyst for better urban planning? ?? To find out, join us on 18 March 2025 for the #REP2025?Engaging in Conflict: Lessons for Participatory Urban Planning workshop ??? Conflict is inevitable in participatory planning - differing interests, power dynamics, and historical tensions can challenge decision-making. But what if we approached these tensions as opportunities for engagement, trust-building, and more inclusive urban policies? We will have ??? Expert insights from leading practitioners ?? Interactive discussions on navigating conflict in urban planning ?? Collaborative group work to develop practical strategies We’re excited to welcome our esteemed speakers: ? Katharina Schwarzfurtner-Lutnik, City of Vienna ? Agnieszka Krzy?ak-Pitura, Fundacja "Rodzic w mie?cie" ? Johan Galster, We Do Democracy ? Aleksandra Zi?tek, Eurocities The workshop's recommendations will directly contribute to the Nets4Dem network and the Democratic Innovations Toolbox, supporting more conflict-sensitive participatory governance across Europe. Note: The session takes place from 11:30 to 13:00 in room Amsterdam! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eQqBZBhj

Final call - get expert mentorship now! ?? Struggling to get your participatory program off the ground? Need guidance to refine your approach? Just want clarity on what to do next? Rising Stars has it all covered! ?? We’re connecting government officials, civil society advocates, and community leaders with seasoned mentors who know what it takes to design, launch, and scale participatory processes that drive real change ?? Whether you're seeking approval for a new initiative, planning your next steps, or tackling implementation challenges, our mentors are here to guide you every step of the way - and have already done so for many changemakers, such as Emiliana Mellone. ???Don’t wait - today is the application deadline for the March cohort: https://lnkd.in/dSP8ETNS The program is managed by Coglobal in association with People Powered, with support from Eurocities, Demos Helsinki, Democracy Reporting International, and European Partnership for Democracy (EPD).

Join us at the Climate Democracy Lab in #Grenoble! ???? Hosted by Eurocities and Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, it is bringing together city representatives, democracy experts, and changemakers to explore how participatory democracy can strengthen local climate action. In Bordeaux, balancing flood management with biodiversity conservation is crucial. The decline in water drainage maintenance due to reduced agricultural activity highlights the need for a participatory governance model. ”Meeting with European and other French territories will certainly bring us ideas different from those we've already had in?Bordeaux Métropole: crossing our different contexts and working methods will definitely be rich in discoveries!” - Sébastien Lespinasse, Public Space Management Director, Bordeaux What Bordeaux will explore at the Climate Democracy Lab: ? Developing a participatory management plan ? Addressing flood risks exacerbated by climate change ? Integrating biodiversity conservation into flood management What you’ll experience: ? City-led climate democracy solutions in action ? Hands-on workshops, peer learning and networking with urban climate pioneers ?? 25-27 March 2025 ?? Grenoble, France ?? REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/ez3UZ8uS

Are you a government official, civil servant, or activist looking to design or enhance participatory processes? ?? Then apply to Rising Stars - and receive 1-on-1 online mentorship from Nets4Dem! Whether you're starting fresh or overcoming roadblocks, our mentors are here to help you break through analysis paralysis and bring your ideas to life. We connect with you with those who’ve been there, done that - and are ready to share their know-how. We offer you: ? Expert guidance from experienced practitioners ? Tailored support to tackle design and implementation challenges ? Practical insights to move your participatory project forward Apply by February 26 to start in March! ?? Learn more about Rising Stars and how it supports democratic innovation: https://bit.ly/4ePyPTm The Rising Stars program is managed by Coglobal in association with People Powered and supported by Eurocities, Demos Helsinki, Democracy Reporting International, and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD).

Can cities accelerate climate action with democratic innovation? Six European cities - including Prague - are finding out! ???? ?? Registrations are now open for the Climate Democracy Lab in #Grenoble. Hosted by Eurocities and Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, city officers will tackle real-world climate challenges and explore how participatory democracy can deliver fair, effective, and tailored solutions. Six cities will present their challenges, including Prague, for participants to help co-create solutions. Prague’s Institute of Planning and Development is developing a Tool for Sustainable Urban Development to balance housing needs with climate goals. While the tool encourages collaboration across city departments, broader citizen engagement remains a challenge. “Through the Climate Democracy Lab, we aim to explore practical ways to engage the broader public - a key but often overlooked stakeholder. We believe strengthening this participation will help maximise the impact of our work” — Martin Dolsky, Coordinator of Stakeholder Participation, City of Prague What to expect at the Lab: ? City-led approaches to climate democracy in action ? Hands-on workshops, peer learning and networking with urban climate pioneers ?? 25-27 March 2025 ?? Grenoble, France ?? REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/ez3UZ8uS

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work in Nets4Dem has been providing tailored mentorship to practitioners who are developing, implementing, or improving participatory budgeting processes. Working with small and medium-sized cities and other practitioners, I’ve had the privilege of closely following and supporting these initiatives as they take shape and succeed—an experience that is truly fulfilling. This mentorship program has made that possible for me! If you're a practitioner working on #ParticipatoryBudgeting, #CitizensAssemblies, #LegislativeTheatre, #ParticipatoryPolicymaking, or #ParticipatoryPlanning and could benefit from dedicated mentorship support, apply here: https://lnkd.in/gaKEyxgs Let’s keep strengthening participatory democracy together! ?? #Mentorship #ParticipatoryDemocracy #PB #CivicEngagement

How can mentorship turn ideas into impact? In Kenya, it helped bring clean water to 44,000 people.???? In Laikipia County, residents had waited 12 years for promised water access—but government commitments never turned into action. That changed when the Pathways Policy Institute (PPI), an early participant in People Powered’s Rising Stars Mentorship Program, stepped in. With mentorship support from Eliza Meriabe, PPI used participatory methods to engage the community, build trust, and push for real solutions—transforming a stalled promise into clean water for thousands. ?? Read their story: https://lnkd.in/gF5N3n_X ?? Want to make a similar impact in your community? The Rising Stars Mentorship Program, supported by Nets4Dem and Coglobal, provides 1-on-1 guidance to help emerging leaders launch and strengthen participatory democracy initiatives. Applications for the first 2025 cycle are open! Apply by February 26: https://lnkd.in/gaKEyxgs #RisingStars #Mentorship #ParticipatoryDemocracy #CommunityLeadership #Kenya #CleanWater #HorizonEurope #FundedbyEU

Strengthening democracy one initiative at a time - welcome, OIDP - International Observatory on Participatory Democracy! ?? A global reference point for participatory democracy, IOPD brings together cities, organisations, and research centres to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and drive democratic innovation at the local level. Through its network, IOPD creates synergies between policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, providing insights and recommendations to enhance democratic governance across the world. By joining Nets4Dem, IOPD strengthens our collective efforts to innovate democracy, foster citizen participation, and ensure that local voices shape global debates ? Local democracy is the backbone of democratic renewal, and with IOPD on board, we’re ready to take it even further! Welcome to the network ? Intrigued? Learn more about us here ??https://nets4dem.eu/