​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Moving towards a more resilient, inclusive and citizen-centred democracy

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How can we adapt to climate change? How can digitalisation work for all people? How do we need to change our mobility? Cities and regions matter for the EU and vice versa. They are the laboratories of innovative participation mechanisms. More and more often it is becoming indispensable for politicians to integrate the citizens' voices into the policy-making process.

Building on the success of the 2021 project From local to European and leading up to the 2024 European elections, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is renewing its partnership with the Bertelsmann Stiftung. We will support local and regional politicians, authorities and interested parties in establishing participatory democracy within their constituencies through capacity building. We will also aim at mainstreaming citizen participation practices in EU decision-making.

The new collaboration was launched by a conference that took place on 9 March 2023: the recording is available below​. Please see our press release and pictures from the event. 

The kick-off conference aimed to set a direction for the project that is in line with the local and regional priorities in Europe. What are the needs of the regions, cities and municipalities in Europe? What support and assistance in capacity building do you need to carry out citizen participation projects?

Please fill in our survey to tailor our project offer according to your needs.