A NETWORK FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

IN EUROPE: FIVE OPTIONS

Workshop: How to Make Citizen Participation Relevant in European Regions

Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg, GermanyDecember 5, 2012

FIVE OPTIONS

Not the only possible options – feel free to suggest others;

Options can be combined;

Need to consider pros and cons;

Need to consider resources.

OPTION 1 – RESOURCE SHARING NETWORK

Goal: Circulate wide range of resources to a wide range of people

Optimal size: Large

Resources required: Low

Example: National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation

OPTION 2 – PROFESSIONAL/ACCREDITING NETWORK

Goal: Ensure that people doing the work have the right skills and credential (quality control)

Optimal size: Large

Resources required: High

Example: none squarely in the field of participation; many in related fields

OPTION 3 – TRAINING NETWORK

Goal: Distribute participation skills among a wide variety of people

Optimal size: Smaller set of trainers; large number of trainees

Resources required: High

Example: International Association for Public Participation

OPTION 4 – PROACTIVE LEARNING NETWORK

Goal: Tackle the biggest conceptual challenges facing the field

Optimal size: Small

Resources required: Medium

Examples: DDC, LogoLink

OPTION 5 – ADVOCACY NETWORK

Goal: Champion the field, through manifestos and/or lobbying

Optimal size: Large

Resources required: High

Example: Campaign for Stronger Democracy

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

What will give members the sense that they belong to the network?

What will help members describe the work they do?

What will best bring together different groups? (for example, practitioners, researchers, public officials, others)

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Options:1. Resource sharing2. Professional/accrediting3. Training4. Proactive learning5. Advocacy

What is the purpose of the network? What are the incentives? Are there other options you would add? Which option, or combination of options,

seems best to you? What kinds of resources would be required?