In the context of a globally connected world, it becomes critical to rethink our democratic processes. Complex systems have become the standard, demanding more nuanced and sophisticated governance strategies, whereas traditional “reactive” approaches and short-term visions to policymaking have increasingly demonstrated their ineffectiveness.
A recent OECD report on Trust in Public Institutions, released in July revealed that 44% of people across 30 OECD countries in 2023 had low or no trust in their national governments, while 39% declare high or moderately high trust. However, the report also pointed out that distrust does not mean disengagement, with 86% of those who lacked trust remaining politically engaged in some form. This finding reinforces the importance of providing citizens with meaningful ways to influence policymaking, which in turn can foster greater trust in democracy.
On September 6th, 2024, Re-Imagine Europa (RIE) participated in the panel of “The Participation Lasagna: How Does Citizen Participation Look on European, National, and City Levels?”, held during in the sixth edition of Ashoka Changemaker Summit “True Participation” that took place in Hamburg, Germany. The panel explored the challenges and opportunities of participatory democracy across various levels of governance, from grassroots to institutional initiatives.
The next five years will be crucial for the EU to embrace participatory democracy, and the challenge seems to be generating innovative ideas to address complex and polarised issues. During the panel, Caterina Berardi, Strategy and Policy Officer for the Executive Cabinet at Re-Imagine Europa, proposed harnessing the diversity of democratic society through inclusive engagement, fostering collective intelligence that enables new ideas and solutions to emerge. Inclusive and transparent participation is vital to developing a more resilient, responsive, and trustworthy democratic system.
The European Union is preparing to become the setting for a participatory democracy that is both achievable and necessary, and which can be achieved through initiatives such as public consultations, citizens’ assemblies, panels and dialogues. To make that happen, the next European Commission will launch a series of initiatives to expand citizen participation, as outlined in the 2024-2029 Political Guidelines, announced by Ursula von der Leyen in July. Back in December 2023, the Commission already released a new “Recommendation to Member States on citizen participation in policymaking”, aiming to build more resilient democratic systems. The European Commission President’s commitment to organising annual European Citizens’ Panels, along with close collaboration with the Civil Society organisations, the Committee of the Regions and local councilors, further reinforces this participatory vision.
The future of European democracy will rely on the ability of creating a well-layered “participatory lasagna” that integrates local, national, and European levels effectively. Democracy is expected to handle various types of decisions, at both global and individual levels, ranging from more straightforward and accessible issues, like neighbourhood concerns, to incredibly complex matters, like pandemic crisis or climate change, that require deep scientific knowledge.
Innovative forms of citizen participation, such as online and in-person co-creation and deliberation, can enhance public governance by providing policymakers with a better understanding of citizens’ needs and ideas. Leveraging technological development and digital solutions can scale up participation and offer new ways for citizens to engage in policymaking, as exemplified by the EU-funded project ORBIS, which RIE is currently ready to test.
In conclusion, the key to successful deliberative democracy lies in addressing three fundamental areas. First, listening to citizens and facilitating public deliberation is essential for democratic renewal, emphasising the need for both grassroots and top-down changes. Establishing structures that enable participation at all societal levels will foster systemic change, requiring innovative methods to amplify diverse voices, break down social barriers, and promote inclusivity. Second, building a new information ecosystem that ensures access to knowledge and education is crucial for informed participation, with equal access to quality information, regardless of socio-economic status, essential for active engagement. Finally, future-thinking and a long-term vision are critical to building trust and combating disinformation. Institutions must remain accountable and transparent, co-developing long-term policy visions with citizens and leveraging technology to enhance both transparency and accountability.
At Re-Imagine Europa (RIE), our priority is ensuring European citizens are meaningfully engaged in policymaking, strengthening the foundations of democracy. We envision democratic institutions that are people-centred, co-owned, and future-oriented, capable of supporting collective action at scale. To achieve a system characterised by inclusivity, transparency, trust, openness, and accountability, we need to restructure democratic institutions to better meet the diverse needs of individuals. By fostering impactful participation processes we can build a more resilient, responsive, and trustworthy democratic system.
