Citizen involvement – the Danish way A brief history – three waves The democratic perspective Possible new directions

Denmark: Three waves of local democracy First wave: Citizens as ”consumers” Second wave: Local democracy Third wave: Userdriven innovation New forms of involvement

Changing citizen engagement Turnout of local elections is going down (66% 2009) Fewer citizens want to run for office Low interest among young people A slide from ”we” to ”I” in engagement Influencing implementation of decisions

Parallel channels of influence User democracy: User boards at institutions Local democracy: Councils with formal competences Network democracy: Partnerships in integration, local planning Project democracy: Partnerships, networks working for projects, f.inst. establishing a local cultural center

Democracy and civic involvement Individual perspective Social perspective Self governanceRepresentation Competitive democracy Market democracy Deliberative democracy Participative democracy

Citizen engagement – Danish style Inviting citizens to engage as users - individual focus Focus on public welfare services Public debates: Conflicts, problems Involvement through hearings

The decision wheel Mapping the needs Seek solutions Analyse/deliberate Decide Implement Evaluate

Scope for citizen influence? Information Hearing Dialogue Influence Participation

New directions in citizen engagement.. Early involvement Committed citizens Focus on ”we” – the public good Dialogue: Focus on solutions

Citizen involvement – Icelandic style? How would you describe the Icelandic way of engaging citizens? What new directions are needed?

Status on local democracy

Danish cases: New forms of involvement A strategy for local democracy: Ballerup Involving citizens through IT: Silkeborg Keeping local-local democracy alive: - Local councils - ABCD in Vejle Lessons for the future

Ballerup Kommune: A strategy for local democracy The process A ”culture of involvement” A need to systematize involvement Mapping the experiences Citizen summit on involvement Strategy developed by politicians

Ballerup Kommune: A strategy for local democracy Central points: Aim: Involving citizens as citizens, not as users Involvement considerations compulsary The citizens have a right to be heard, scope for influence Citizens must be involved in decisions as early as possible Information and communication central County staff are ambassadors Focus on new competences and methods (tool box)

Ballerup Kommune: A strategy for local democracy Results: Strengthened focus on involvement: - Spreading experiences and tools through project forum - Involvement part of project handbook Some areas in front: Children, planning, health Evaluation coming up

Silkeborg Kommune: E-involvement in the budget A need to cut 250 mio. kr. A wish to involve broadly An ”option catalogue” with 150 options E-hearing of citizens (debate forum) Local meetings with politicians All answers reviewed 1100 answers, internet-hits

Silkeborg Kommune: Option catalogue

Silkeborg Kommune: E-involvement in the budget Lessons learnt It is possible to engage citizens in the budget Joint initiative from the town council Challenge to communicate the budget Biased participation: organized citizens Inviting user-answers: Don’t touch our school Biggest cuts in administration Citizens gain insight into the complexity

E-Involvement of citizens - possibilities and challenges Potential to reach a broad range of citizens Quick and cheap channels A supplement to other channels Risk of information overload Quick, individual answers (user) How to create an e-dialogue?

Developing local democracy in amalgamated municipalities How do we insure that local communities do not feel run over in geographically big municipal entities? How do we keep the ‘local – local’ democracy alive? How can politicians gain sufficient knowledge about local communities to make good decisions?

Lessons learned? A tool of communication To come aware of local wishes and needs Creates synergy across local associations Define roles Get the administration on board Local councils are not for everyone

The “Vejle model “ Asset Based Community Development Appreciative Inquiry Education of Citizens Local development agents

e-Involvement ABCD method Democracy Strategy Local councils WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Danish cases – Icelandic reality

Citizen involvement in Icelandic counties Possible gains and pitfalls How to take a first step Tools for citizen involvement

Possible gains from involving citizens Better informed decisions Utilize civic ressources Building trust and understanding Civic ownership Responsibility and community spirit New solutions, innovation

Possible pitfalls… Consider advantages and disadvantages Local government should in general always have final say Make sure citizens are aware and accept the premise of the dialogue Get the administration on board Citizen dialogue is pointless if ignored Don’t do everything at once

What can politicians do to further citizen involvement? Establish principles/a strategy for citizen involvement Ask the civil servants to plan citizen involvement Facilitate dialogues between different interest groups Participate actively in civic dialogues Develop dialogue competences (listening)

The role of civil servants in civic involvement? Plan decision processes that leave room for citizen input Demand clear goals and ambitions, when asked to plan involvement Understand and value the contributions from citizens Develop new competences: Communication and facilitation

Possible first steps of strengthening citizen involvement: Develop a political vision/strategy for citizen involvement Establish one or more pilot projects to gain practical experiences and competences Provide organisatorical backing and clear responsibility

Tools for citizen involvement: The why, who and how? 1. Why: Specify the goal 2. Who to involve? 3. How: Think the process through 4. How: Communicate clearly

1 Why: Specify the goal Why involve the citizens. Possible aims: - To map the needs of different groups - To consult the citizens on a plan - To get ideas and visions from citizens - To develop civic ownership - ….

2 Who should be involved? Who are the interested parties? Seek them out, where they are Make it easy to participate Relevance: What are they interested in?

3 How: Design and prepare the involvement process Design a process that reflects the aim Clarify the roles of participants Prepare for worst case scenarios/conflicts

4 How: Communicate clearly Clarify the conditions/frames of involvement The citizens approach: What do they need/want to know? Concrete, personalized themes Show that the citizens are important Be aware of the language

GOOD LUCK!