Event 11
Aims of the Event
Under Event 11 in the first step local workshops were organised in the Co-Green communities as Open Space Technology (OST), to keep the community members engaged and focussed on the CO-GREEN topics and participatory processes. In particular, local participants co-prioritized urgent themes that were also addressed in the Citizens’ laboratories. The OST workshops were adapted to local specificities, depending on cultural and organisational characteristics. At the end of each local workshop the participants’ perceptions about the addressed issues were collected.
In the next step, the co-prioritized specific themes were analysed and elaborated in the so called “citizens laboratories”, which were carried out using participatory and open technicques, such as the world café method. These laboratories were the specific spaces where local deliberative co-decisional processes were enacted. Through a process of participation and co-decision-making using f2f and online facilitation methods, the following results were obtained:
- an original reflection about the Green Deal themes related to local problems and urgencies;
- the identification of possible projects/measures that deserve attention to manage the Green Deal priorities from a social cohesion perspective;
- the development of an action plan/roadmap concerning the “community call to action” and the proposals to be presented to local authorities for further action;
- implementation of the planned green activities planned within Co-Green projects prepared by green local activists.
Dates:
Participants:
- Altogether 425 participants took parts in this event: 109 from Poland, 129 from Italy, 72 from Croatia and 115 from Greece.
LOCAL WORKSHOPS
- GREECE
The workshop in General High School of Mouzaki Karditsa on 16th May was aimed to highlight the Co-Green project, emphasizing the importance of public participation and the support of green activators in local communities for a successful green transition. During the workshop, the main issues that have already been identified in previous Events, were presented to participants and a questionnaire focusing on green transition issues for Karditsa was distributed to all. A total of 51 participants completed the questionnaire, expressing their community priorities in crucial environmental issues. Number one priority appeared to be preventing the effects of non-green management e.g. flood protection as Karditsa flooded twice in a three-year period. Choosing the most effective way of engaging citizens through various methods such as public meetings, interviews, questionnaires, focus groups and local referendums seemed to be interviews and questionnaires. Last, participants expressed their opinion on the most efficient way to encourage public participation which is using active and passive media e.g. social media, sms, emails, local television and radio.
CITIZEN LABORATORIES
- GREECE
The participants in the laboratory in ANKA SA Kardtisa on 17th June were presented the CO-Green project: objectives, actions, workflow, participatory processes, the role and training of green activators and the results of actions carried out so far. In addition, 45 questionnaires were distributed, answered in situ and discussed. An important issue of concern to the community, according to the unanimous opinion of the participants, is the prevention of the effects of non-green management and in particular the protection of the area against flooding due to extreme weather events. Furthermore, sustainable mobility is an issue necessary to address modern challenges such as climate change, pollution and traffic congestion. Promoting alternative methods of transport, investing in environmentally friendly infrastructure and educating and raising public awareness are means by which the sustainable mobility of Karditsa can be achieved. Although participants were largely positive about participating in public events related to environmental issues in the region, they expressed the view that there is not enough information about them and they do not believe that these processes are effective. Most do not participate in environmental organizations active in the community and this is due to a lack of information about the existence of such organizations and the issues they deal with. Time available is another inhibiting factor for participation in environmental organizations. Finally, the participants were presented the two action plans of Event 10, ”Pilot action for the utilization of forest biomass residues in the area of competence of the Forestry Department of Mouzaki” and ”Removal of household waste from areas affected by the bad weather Daniel”, and were given the opportunity for analysis and discussion. It was clarified that the role of the Green Activators is important to develop a common awareness of the key issues and topics proposed by the Green Deal, to encourage organizations and individuals to play an active role in the social innovation processes implemented in their communities and to facilitate dialogue in each community.