The first edition of the Nets4Dem project’s Democracy Lab takes place in the host city of Barcelona from 17 – 19 September 2024.
This exciting event – being organised by Eurocities and Barcelona City Council – will bring together local government officials and democracy experts from across Europe to help tackle complex urban challenges, and to develop innovative ideas that can empower citizens to get involved in decision-making processes.
For the first Democracy Lab, participants will be focusing on ‘Democratic innovation in digital transformation.’ Cities that would like to take part can register here.
Ahead of the Lab, we spoke to Arnau Monterde, Director of Participation and Democratic Innovation at Barcelona City Council and Democracy Lab mentor, who explained what democratic innovation is, and why it is crucial for improving political systems and tackling the significant issues facing urban areas.
Arnau also outlined the many ground-breaking actions the city of Barcelona is taking to introduce democratic innovation to its citizens, increase citizen participation and rebuild people’s trust in democracy.
Barcelona is hosting the Democracy Lab as part of a series of events to mark its status as European Capital of Democracy (ECoD) for 2023-2024. The ECoD, carried out in conjunction with the Strategic Metropolitan Plan of Barcelona, aims to establish a space for reflection and high visibility where European citizens can meet, engage, experiment with new forms of participatory and inclusive democracy, and be inspired by a comprehensive programme designed to advance democracy.
Can you explain what democratic innovation is?
When we talk about democratic innovation, we refer to the design and implementation of new practices, methods, and technologies to enhance the functioning of democracy. This innovation aims to increase citizen participation, improve transparency, strengthen trust in democratic institutions, and make these institutions more accessible to all citizens.
Democratic innovation involves co-creation of long-term programmes that transform society
For example, initiatives like the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD) focus on creating a public reference framework and fostering public debate about democracy and its current challenges. This is achieved by promoting a network of cities that share successful experiences and work together to improve our democracies with the active participation of citizens and civil society.
Democratic innovation involves the co-creation of long-term programmes that transform society and improve democratic culture and democracy as a whole.
Why is it important to boost citizen engagement and develop innovative approaches to democracy? How can this help tackle the challenges our cities are facing?
Enhancing citizen participation and developing innovative approaches to democracy is crucial because cities are the closest administrations to the citizens and play a fundamental role in managing public affairs. This proximity allows for direct involvement in the co-creation of public policies and the implementation of specific projects in collaboration with the citizens.
Cities and their inhabitants possess the experience, knowledge, and skills to jointly imagine and build the cities of the present and future, making them more liveable, sustainable, just and democratic. Through citizen participation, it is possible to address priority challenges such as urban transformation, inequality, climate change, housing, public services and digital policies.
This collaboration between cities and citizens contributes to more open governance and a culture of shared responsibility, capable of addressing current and future challenges in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
If we don’t continue to innovate our democratic approaches, what will the consequences be?
Firstly, we could see a decline in citizens’ trust in democratic institutions, leading to increased discontent and social polarisation. Additionally, without democratic innovation, cities might struggle to effectively address current challenges such as inequality, climate change and digital transformation.
Innovating is not just about doing new things; it also involves recovering the memory and practices of its inhabitants to imagine desirable futures. The lack of innovation could also limit cities’ ability to engage citizens in the co-creation of public policies, potentially resulting in solutions that do not serve the entire population and common interests.
The lack of democratic innovation could weaken the democratic system
In summary, the lack of democratic innovation could weaken the democratic system, making it less resilient and adaptable to the changes and challenges of the modern world.
What innovative democratic actions is the city of Barcelona taking to boost citizen engagement?
Among the most notable initiatives currently being undertaken in Barcelona are the participatory budgets, which allow citizens to decide on a portion of the municipal budget.
Additionally, Barcelona has launched several randomly selected citizen assemblies, such as the deliberative youth assembly, where participants are chosen to debate and propose solutions on issues that affect them.
The city has also established the Ateneu of Digital and Democratic Innovation, a space dedicated to promoting innovation in collaboration with the city’s social fabric, and the Decidim platform, a digital technology designed to facilitate citizen participation and democratic governance of institutions and organisations. This platform, developed in Barcelona, is used in more than 30 countries and by over 500 organisations worldwide.
These actions are part of a comprehensive participation model that seeks to promote democracy at the local level and position Barcelona as an international benchmark in participation and democratic innovation.
Why is it important for cities to lead this work? Isn’t it the job of national governments?
It is important for cities to lead this effort because they are the administrations closest to the citizens and have a unique capacity to involve them directly in decision-making processes.
Cities are the pioneers of democracy, enabling more direct and immediate participation in public affairs on a scale that is both close and sustainable. This proximity facilitates the implementation and consensus on public policies tailored to local needs.
While national governments play an important role in governance, cities are better positioned to lead democratic innovation and foster citizen participation due to their proximity and rapid response capability.
At the same time, cities are spaces where emerging innovations by social organisations, movements and citizens through popular self-organisation already occur. Being attentive to these emergencies, listening to them and reinforcing them is a prime democratic challenge, and the city is the ideal place for this to happen.
Additionally, leading this effort allows cities to share experiences and join forces to address common challenges, creating networks of mutual support that strengthen democracy at both local and global levels, and turning cities into spaces that provide the highest guarantees of fundamental rights.
Why do you think the Democracy Lab is important?
The Democracy Lab, organised by Eurocities in Barcelona, is important because it provides a platform for sharing experiences, knowledge, and best practices in democratic innovation regarding digital policies among European cities. This event allows participants to learn from one another and explore new ideas and solutions to enhance citizen participation and democratic governance.
Democratic innovation in digital policies is one of the major challenges of the coming decades
Democratic innovation in digital policies is one of the major challenges of the coming decades if we want to build open, free technological models that serve citizens and safeguard digital and fundamental rights.
This helps outline an agenda for technological sovereignty and public-social collaboration in digital policy matters. Moreover, it fosters transnational collaboration and the creation of networks that can support long-term innovative initiatives.
An event like the Democracy Lab can make a significant difference in how cities address democratic challenges, providing inspiration and resources to implement effective and sustainable practices. This can result in a more robust and adaptable democracy, capable of responding to the changes and needs of citizens more effectively.
____
The Nets4Dem project’s Democracy Lab takes place in the city of Barcelona from 17 – 19 September 2024. Registrations are open until all spots are filled – but apply soon to maximise your chances! Register now –> http://mvnt.us/m2419195
We are also asking interested cities to submit a democratic challenge they are facing in relation to digital transformation. The plan will be for this challenge to be discussed during the Barcelona event. If you are interested in submitting your challenge, please read the guidelines and fill out the application form by 22 July 2024. Follow this link –> http://mvnt.us/m2419198
____
The Nets4Dem project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EU Horizon. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
All photos © Barcelona City Council.
