Public participation is key to successful green transition

Inclusive policymaking and citizen participation are crucial for the success of the European Green Deal, as highlighted in the latest PHOENIX inter-pilot online mini-public. The event, organised by the e-Governance Academy (eGA) in collaboration with The Good Lobby, gathered 27 participants from 10 pilot locations to discuss 51 crowdsourced ideas on how to better involve citizens in decision-making and direct actions for a greener Europe. 

The discussions revealed a strong demand for more transparent and structured participatory processes. Participants emphasised the importance of both traditional and digital assemblies, highlighting the need for independent facilitation to prevent political influence and ensure accessibility. Education and access to verified information were also identified as key factors in fostering engagement. 

Another critical topic was the challenge of aligning scientific recommendations with political and economic realities. Stakeholder engagement, particularly with communities directly affected by environmental policies, was seen as essential. Participants pointed to financial incentives, coalition-building, and public trust as key drivers of successful policy implementation. 

Kristina Reinsalu, senior expert and PHOENIX project lead at eGA explained that local green projects require careful planning and experimentation with new methods and tools—without disregarding traditional approaches. “The key is to ensure diverse voices are heard and that these events are not dominated by a vocal minority,“ she added.  

The insights gathered from the mini-public will contribute to final recommendations submitted to the European Commission, reinforcing the role of public engagement in shaping environmental policies that are both effective and widely supported. 

The PHOENIX project is a European research initiative that enhances democratic innovations to support sustainable policies. With 11 pilot projects across seven countries, PHOENIX tests and implements participatory methods to ensure citizens play an active role in environmental decision-making. The project aims to mainstream and scale-tested methodologies, contributing to more democratic and inclusive policymaking. 

For more information, visit PHOENIX Horizon Project