Tales of transformation: Nilüfer takes a community centered approach to transforming their city
This September, local and regional leaders, European and international institutions, some of the brightest minds working on cutting edge research, businesses, and the civil society will gather for the 9th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, 30 September-02 October, to #TakeTransformationForward.
Local transformation needs to be brought to the next level in all aspects of society. Europe needs solutions for major environmental, economic and social challenges! But we also need inspiring, replicable examples of how urban leaders have transformed their towns and cities.
In the run-up to Mannheim2020, we will showcase examples of how towns and cities across Europe have done this.
This week we take a look at Nilüfer (Turkey) and explore how they’ve used civic engagement and participative governance models to make their city more #sustainable, #resilient and #liveable.
Towards an exemplary participatory local democracy: Nilüfer’s citizens’ ‘republic’
As rapid urbanisation puts pressure on local government services and capacity, Nilüfer found new ways to ensure locals are engaged and become active.
Using three concurrent initiatives, Nilüfer is increasing civic engagement and participatory local democracy. This was done through Neighbourhood Committees with quotas to ensure participation of underrepresented groups; an Innovation Centre where city stakeholders bolster innovation; and citizen-owned Energy Cooperatives.
Mobilising the grassroots level for local affairs has led decision making, politics, entrepreneurship, energy policy and distribution, and the local economy to be more participatory and accessible for all.
In recognition of their work, the city was awarded the 2017 Transformative Action Award - a European urban sustainability award given to cities, regions, or civil society organisations who use the pathways of the Basque Declaration to transform their societies.
The 2020 Transformative Action Award is now accepting applications, with the award ceremony set to take place during Mannheim2020. The award comes with a prize of 10,000 EUR, which the winner can use to kick-start another sustainability project in their city or region. For more information about the award and to submit an application before the 31 July 2020 deadline, click here.
To learn more about how Nilüfer has transformed, click here.