Participation as a lifestyle

Planned projects, such as the regional subsidy call, the revitalization of a city park or the renovation of a square, often do not take into account the opinions and experiences of citizens, municipalities and towns, i.e. their users. Often decisions are made "without them", which on the one hand affects the quality of the outcome, people do not like such a project, and on the other hand reduces trust in elected representatives.

We help create an effective system that builds on collaborative, agreement-oriented participation. We lead to maximizing local knowledge and effectively linking it to open citizenship and open governance.

We support local governments and departments at the South Moravian Regional Authority in participatory planning. We explain the advantages of cooperation with citizens, help in setting up the whole participatory process - from the definition of objectives, through the selection of appropriate methods and activities, to their implementation, work with the identified outputs, to the evaluation of the whole process.

The participatory approach is a fair and transparent process. It relies on the direct and active involvement of citizens in decision-making on issues that directly affect them. It strengthens trust in the democratic system by allowing every citizen to become an equal partner with a public representative and to sit at the same table.

THE PARTICIPATION DECALOGUE  

1. Cooperation and dialogue are fundamental to participation.
2. Participation promotes respect between the public and the public administration.
3. The public has a stake in decisions that affect them.
4. Participation is inclusive - all those affected by a decision are invited into the process.
5. The objectives and rules of the participatory process are clearly stated and binding.
6. All stakeholders are given a voice during the participation process.
7. Information is provided so that participants can meaningfully participate.
8. The views and needs of the stakeholders are taken into account in the final decision.
9. Reasons for not including views in the final decision are adequately explained to participants.
10. Participation is a natural part of the functioning of public administration.