Problems and objectives

The local democracy system Residents' Council is part of a dynamic aimed at strengthening citizen participation in democratic decisions at the local level , by stimulating the commitment of residents to local political life and by promoting political inclusion, particularly of foreign residents who are often excluded or under-represented.

In a context where many foreign residents do not benefit from political rights, or use them relatively little, this system, driven by the Office of Integration and Citizenship (BIC) of the Canton of Geneva, aims to reduce this gap by promoting participation as a lever for integration and social cohesion through deliberations between foreign residents and Swiss citizens .

It is from this observation that the Council of Inhabitants was born , with the political ambition of setting up an innovative system of participatory democracy whose objectives are as follows:

1. Offer a new opportunity for citizen participation at the municipal level, complementary to pre-existing possibilities
2. Stimulating the inclusion and political participation of foreign residents, young people and socio-economically disadvantaged people
3. Developing interpersonal ties and mutual recognition between the inhabitants of the municipality
4. Promote the integration of foreigners and social cohesion in the community
5. Allow deliberation on issues of general interest by a group of citizens representing municipal diversity
6. Contribute to municipal decision-making by arriving, as far as possible, at concrete proposals that achieve consensus

The Residents' Council focuses on active deliberation and the inclusion of all residents . It is a space dedicated to co-creation and the proposal of concrete solutions to the challenges encountered in neighborhoods and at the municipal level. It is composed of 50 volunteer representatives from various social, economic and cultural backgrounds, ensuring a diversity of perspectives in the debates . Participants discuss public issues over 4 Saturdays and propose ideas to improve the local quality of life. Far from a simple consultative exercise, it is a dynamic platform where residents actively co-construct their political and social environment , thus strengthening cohesion and inclusion through renewed democratic participation. These proposals are directly transmitted to the municipality, thus creating a bridge between citizens and authorities, aligning public action with local realities.

History and context

The development and testing of the participatory democracy system"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Residents' Council is part of the general context of strengthening the participation of citizens in democratic decision-making .

This system aims to promote the participation of foreign residents, who either do not have political rights or generally participate less than Swiss citizens in municipal elections. As the Canton of Geneva has the highest rate of foreign residents in Switzerland (41%), this gap and lack of opportunity to participate in political life has consequences in terms of social cohesion and integration . To address these challenges, the Office of Integration and Citizenship (BIC) of the Canton of Geneva is deploying various innovative initiatives to stimulate the political participation of the foreign population. Thus, participation with Swiss residents is seen as a vector for the integration of foreign residents , the former being an integral part of a successful integration process.

Within the framework of the Cantonal Integration Programme II (PIC II), the issue of "unconventional" political participation (without political rights) will emerge. Considering that the opportunities for political participation of foreign residents go hand in hand with their integration path , different measures are developed to encourage the unconventional political participation of foreign residents. The underlying idea is that the promotion of unconventional forms of political participation promotes the integration of foreign residents, is a vector of interpersonal links and mutual recognition between residents, and thus contributes to social cohesion.

In this framework, citizenship is understood as a practice of participation in the community rather than a status on which political rights depend.

An action research group from the Institute for Citizenship Studies at the University of Geneva (InCite) was therefore mandated by the BIC in 2017, with the objective of proposing a concrete system aimed at promoting the emergence of unconventional forms of political participation for foreign residents. The InCite report Integration through Citizen Practices , written by Prof. Matteo Gianni and Dr. Victor Sanchez-Mazas, proposed a sequence of actions centered on a deliberative forum. This report justifies and emphasizes the need to offer new opportunities for political participation to foreign residents and proposes a system of citizen deliberation adapted to the municipal level. Complementary to existing systems (e.g., neighborhood contracts) and the Municipal Council, this system proposes concrete projects or recommendations for regulatory changes of municipal scope.

This proposal led to the establishment of a pilot system in the city of Vernier, from January 2019 to June 2021: the Residents' Council. From 2018, a preparatory phase made it possible to refine the project's modalities and involve a wide network of stakeholders. The initial steering committee, reinforced by social workers from the City of Vernier and specialized partners (Interface for evaluation, CYC Partners for the facilitation of deliberations), helped to operationalize the system. Several local associations, including the Albanian People's University (UPA), Camarada, F-information and DPGE, also took part in the discussions, ensuring an approach adapted to the needs of residents and mobilization as close as possible to the field .

The success of the pilot scheme in Vernier marked a decisive step in the development of participatory democracy at the local level . This experience confirmed both the relevance of deliberative democracy at the local level and its potential for the integration of foreigners, while laying the foundations for a future expansion of the scheme .

Capitalizing on this experience, the City of Vernier repeated the experience of the Residents' Council (September-December 2023), joined by the cities of Lancyng>(October 2023-January 2024) and Thônex (October 2024-January 2025) who are also creating their own from 2023. Each municipality was able to adapt the mechanism according to its context and needs, demonstrating the flexibility of a tool promoting citizen participation and enabling the construction of adapted local solutions.

Organizing, supporting and funding organizations

The design and implementation of the Residents' Council relies on effective coordination and a division of roles between several stakeholders . Mandated by the BIC, the InCite team ensures the design, general coordination, implementation and evaluation of the system. It is the main point of contact for participants, providing them with all the necessary information throughout the process. It also hires and supervises the teams responsible for writing, fact-checking and facilitation, while ensuring the link with the heads of the municipalities, particularly for the logistical management of the Residents' Council.

The governing body is the steering committee, which includes representatives from the BIC, InCite, and the partner municipality. It establishes a timeline for the process, decides on the implementation procedures, and approves the proceedings of the deliberative roundtables.

The facilitation team , mandated and supervised by InCite, establishes and revises the procedures. This work is carried out by a professional team composed of a main facilitator and a co-facilitator per deliberative table. The writing and fact-checking team , composed of 1 to 2 people per deliberative table, monitors the activities by taking notes, organizes the collective writing, and verifies the veracity of the information used by the participants.

Partner associations organize interventions with the municipality and InCite upstream of the process to mobilize various audiences (foreign residents, young people).

The complementarity between academic, administrative and associative contributions allows for synergy between theoretical standards, political imperatives and field realities, guaranteeing rigorous and appropriate implementation of the Residents' Council.

Preparation of the process

Selection of themes

The Residents' Council's working themes are selected through a structured and inclusive process that ensures the topics discussed are relevant to both residents and the municipality. For each municipality, two themes of general interest with a municipal scope are selected, which corresponds to the creation of two deliberative tables of approximately 25 people each. All residents of the municipality can propose themes on the dedicated online platform (participer.ge.ch). These proposals are then grouped by the organizers into around ten coherent themes that represent citizens' concerns.

At the kick-off meeting , an in-person vote is held to select the two themes that will be addressed. Each resident present can vote for two of the proposed themes, thus ensuring broad participation and transparency in the selection process. The vote count is carried out on site, and the two themes with the most votes are officially announced at this meeting. Registration for the deliberative tables remains open for approximately ten days. Potential participants can express their preference for one of the two selected themes when registering.

In Lancy, 139 proposals were collected online or during various presentation sessions. The proposals were then grouped into eight themes and presented to residents at the launch meeting, where two additional themes were proposed by participants.

In Thônex, in addition to the online proposals, four themes were proposed by the municipal administration as being particularly important for the municipality, two of which were ultimately chosen by residents. This approach guarantees the adequacy of the themes addressed with the priorities identified by the municipal administration while involving citizens in the selection process.

In Vernier, the selection of themes takes place entirely online. Residents propose and vote on themes on the online platform. themes had been proposed by the municipality, including the two chosen themes: "Useful actions for the climate" and "Welcoming parks for all".

Public mobilization, recruitment and selection of participants

Public engagement is a key moment in the preparation of the system, requiring concerted efforts from all stakeholders. It aims to ensure sufficient participation (approximately 50 participants per municipality) and guarantee a diversity of profiles to maximize the representativeness of the deliberative tables.

Mobilization is deployed through various communication channels to reach diverse audiences. The sending of an invitation letter to all households by the municipal authorities is the general means of communication. A public campaign (posters, leaflets) and an Internet campaign (website dedicated to the Residents' Council, municipal website, Facebook page) are also used. In addition, targeted communication channels are added. Information sessions are organized for social workers and relevant municipal employees to disseminate key information to residents. Partner associations also play a crucial role in informing target audiences, particularly foreign residents in French classes. Similarly, social workers mobilize young people in community centers. In addition, the coordination team also ensures targeted interventions with various audiences. The presentation of the project in the media is also important to reach an even wider audience. This combination of complementary communication channels helps maximize the impact of the mobilization and ensure representative and inclusive participation.

The invitation letter sent to all households is the main lever for mobilization, but it does not reach everyone, especially foreign residents and young people. It is therefore necessary to complement this channel with direct and targeted interventions (municipal employees, community centers, French courses) and digital tools (municipal websites, mailing lists). The multiplication of complementary channels and adaptation to municipal specificities are appropriate mobilization strategies.

Various support and assistance measures, such as a daily allowance of CHF 100, transportation assistance, childcare, an official participation certificate, and meal and coffee break coverage, are planned. These measures aim to reduce barriers to participation for the most vulnerable groups.

Mobilization also involves organizing a launch assembly . This is a crucial element for the success of the Residents' Council. It plays an essential mobilizing role , bringing the population together and generating their interest and commitment from the outset. It is during this assembly that the project and its objectives are clearly presented, allowing all participants to understand the issues and the steps to come. In addition, the public commitment of the municipal authorities during this event reinforces the credibility and legitimacy of the project, by showing their active support and their willingness to work closely with citizens. In short, the launch assembly lays the foundations for dynamic participation and fruitful cooperation between the community and local authorities .

This selection process combines a recognition of the desire to participate with a random selection process to address potential imbalances. It ensures fair and diverse participation, maximizing representativeness while valuing the spontaneous engagement of citizens.

Formats and procedures

Each Residents' Council brings together around fifty residents per municipality, divided into two groups of around 25 people. The sessions take place over four full Saturdays , a strategic day to allow the availability of participants who work during the week. The duration of a full day is essential to avoid wasting time at the beginning of each session going back over the subject, thus allowing for greater continuity and efficiency in the discussions. The participants gather in the same place , promoting not only moments of informal exchange around breaks, but also the development of social ties andSynergies in the work of both groups. Meals and coffee breaks are provided to make these moments even more convivial. In addition, professional on-site childcare is available to allow the participation of people with dependent children. This format facilitates the engagement of residents and creates an environment conducive to collaboration.

Les déroulés, établis conjointement par l'équipe de facilitation et l'équipe de coordination, sont un élément essentiel du processus. Ils visent à maximiser la qualité délibérative, la participation de l'ensemble des participant.e.s et l'émergence de propositions de qualité. Les déroulés are constantly improved throughout the sessions, based on group dynamics and the specifics of the work themes. This progressive adjustment ensures that each session adapts to the needs of the participants and optimizes the results.

The Residents' Councils of Lancy, Vernier and Thônex resulted in a variation of the system in two different formats. Based on the lessons learned from Lancy and Vernier, the Thônex format was significantly improved. The improvements include the clear definition by the participants of objectives to guide the development of proposals and the limitation of the number of possible proposals to 8 per group . These modifications made it possible to stimulate more deliberation and to focus efforts on the most consensual and relevant proposals. This approach ensures better articulation of the proposals with the objectives established by the participants and strengthens the deliberative quality of the process.

Deliberation as a decision-making method

At the heart of the Council of Inhabitants , deliberation is a complex and demanding mode of discussion , requiring a certain amount of practice. It is an ideal towards which to strive, by maximizing the different principles it brings together. To do this, training and a simulation of deliberation take place during the first morning of work of the deliberative tables. Throughout the process, the principles of deliberation are recalled: distinguishing between questions of collective interest and questions of private interest, listening to everyone with respect , being sincere and basing oneself on facts . Disagreement is normal: we seek to reach an agreement by giving arguments and counter-arguments , and we agree to change our minds . The objective is to seek the best solution by seeking consensus . If a disagreement persists after deliberation, it is resolved by a majority vote.

Facilitators and organizers provide ongoing educational work on the practice of deliberation. Furthermore, the process is designed to maximize the deliberative quality of the work, including alternating between small group discussions and plenary discussions . The role of facilitators is crucial in fostering good deliberation, ensuring that everyone has a chance to speak, that no one monopolizes it, and that positions are justified by solid arguments.

In all three municipalities, participants actively debated, constructed strong arguments, and transformed their initial positions, while respecting the diversity of opinions. Most felt they were able to express their opinions and arguments, and were listened to and taken into account by others. However, the major challenge is the difficulty in reconciling the quality of deliberation with maximum public inclusion . The difficult participation of some people, particularly non-French speakers and young people, poses a significant challenge in improving the effectiveness and inclusiveness of deliberations. These people often encounter difficulties in fully deliberating, either due to language, symbolic, or generational barriers. For non-French speakers, it was found that despite the provision of a translation service, full and continuous involvement during deliberations was difficult to achieve. For some young people, a continued lack of attendance (with recurring lateness and early departures) and a reluctance to engage in full discussion with adults was noted on several occasions, and participants also complained about this. These dynamics can create a gap within groups and result in two-speed work, or slow down the group as a whole. It is therefore necessary to find a balance between the depth of discussions and accessibility for all participants , to ensure quality and truly inclusive deliberation.

People not participating in the deliberative tables can follow the progress of the work via daily reports and contribute to the process by sharing online their opinions, comments or recommendations regarding the progress of the discussions, which promotes inclusion and broadens the reflection beyond the deliberative tables.

Between the days

Participants are invited, among othersEach day of work, to answer a questionnaire intended for the InCite team. The purpose of this questionnaire is to gather their feedback on the progress and activities. Also, the information and internal working documents for each group are posted online in a “participant space” dedicated to them.

On-site organization

Group facilitation and translation

A professional, independent, and experienced facilitation team is essential to the success of the Residents' Council. It acts as the interface between the organizers and the participants. Its mission is to design and structure the working days according to the objectives defined by the coordination team. It supervises the activities, leads the discussions while ensuring respect for the principles of deliberation and ensures the active participation of all participants . Its role is crucial to guarantee constructive and respectful exchanges, and to encourage the emergence of relevant proposals.

Working in pairs with a main facilitator and a co-facilitator, they organize the work activities to create an atmosphere conducive to quality reflection, while respecting the available time. During the sessions, the main facilitator manages the group dynamics, observes the progress of the work and adapts the process according to the needs of the participants and the results obtained. Flexible and responsive, they manage the diversity of personalities, including the dominant and the more timid, ensuring a healthy dynamic. During work in small groups, the facilitators ensure, if necessary, the smooth running of the discussions and the participation of all. As independent intermediaries, the facilitators guarantee the neutrality of the process, ensuring the quality of the results and the involvement of the group .

Some participants, who do not have sufficient command of French, may require the support of a community interpreter to facilitate their full participation in the process . This presence reduces communication barriers, allowing each participant to understand the exchanges, to be understood, and to contribute effectively to collective discussions and decisions. The role of the translator is not limited to the translation of words, but also includes the transmission of cultural and contextual nuances.

Expert hearing

The hearing of experts by the participants is crucial for the quality of the process. The coordination team selects the experts, recognized for their academic expertise or field experience . They are informed about the functioning of the system and their role. The participants receive information on the profile of the experts, their field of expertise, and formulate targeted questions to maximize the contribution of the experts. The experts provide factual elements necessary to inform the deliberations of the participants. Their intervention helps to ensure a common understanding of the topics, enrich the discussions and guarantee that the proposals are based on solid and verified information. Depending on the discussions, the experts may exchange ideas for proposals or mention experiences elsewhere, but they do not take a position or intervene in the deliberations of the participants, thus guaranteeing the independence and integrity of the debates. To avoid biases caused by experts' possible positions, the coordination team asks them in advance to remain factual and neutral. If experts take a position, the coordination team intervenes to inform participants that this is the expert's opinion and not factual information.

The presence of experts strengthens the credibility of the Residents' Council and the participants' confidence in the process . Their contribution of precise information and diverse perspectives reduces bias and improves the quality of the final proposals. This allows participants to have a global and nuanced vision of the issues . By sharing accessible and understandable information, the experts allow all participants, regardless of their initial level of knowledge, to take ownership of the issues and participate in an informed manner.

The editorial and fact-checking team ensures note-taking throughout the process,g>guaranteeing a record of all the work. For example, during hearings of experts and municipal officials, the editors take detailed notes to allow participants to use this information during their work. Fact-checkers can be asked to provide or verify information according to the needs of the participants . They facilitate deliberations by ensuring that participants have all the information necessary to make informed decisions. The editors participate in the drafting of proposals according to the deliberations of the participants. Their role is to scrupulously note what the participants decide collectively in plenary, in order to guarantee that the proposals reflect their choice . The editorial team reports all the activities of the day in a comprehensive and precise manner, put online in a public report that each non-participating resident can consult and comment on. This transparency helps maintain the trust of participants and the public in the process, while providing a valuable resource for municipal authorities and citizens who wish to follow the Residents' Council.

Intervention of the municipalities

The Residents' Council is a system that can be adapted to the specific contexts and needs of each city . The involvement of municipal authorities is therefore central throughout the process. Once the process has begun, their importance is decisive, particularly when presenting to participants the current status of the problem and the actions carried out or to come . This makes it possible to provide clear and precise information, and to ensure effective development work, leading to relevant proposals. This reduces the risk that proposals are already implemented or planned by the municipality , thus ensuring that the participants' efforts are focused on new and useful solutions.

Additionally, the presence of municipal authorities on the third day is useful in providing more information to participants before their final choice of proposals . This step helps ensure that the final proposals are well-informed, feasible, and aligned with the municipality's priorities and resources. It also strengthens transparency and trust between participants and municipal authorities, demonstrating active engagement from the authorities throughout the process.

However, it is important to remember that municipal officials do not intervene in the deliberations or decision-making of the participants , until the closure of the process and the presentation of the proposals by the participants of the two deliberative tables.

Results and effects: reports and feedback

The final reports from the deliberative tables are written by the coordination team based on the decisions taken by the residents. They include their proposals developed as they are by the participants , as well as an introductory message and a conclusion expressing their wishes regarding the implementation of the proposals and reporting on their experience of the system. The proposals are classified into two categories: developed proposals , which have received increased attention and whose relevance has been justified by the participants, and proposals not developed (for Vernier and Lancy) or not retained (for Thônex, the number of proposals having been limited in advance). The former are the subject of specific and detailed feedback from the municipal services. Ideally, these proposals emerge from a unanimous consensus obtained through deliberation and the exchange of arguments within the group. In the absence of consensus, a vote is organized, and its results are integrated into the report. As for the undeveloped proposals, although they are not the subject of a specific response from the municipality, they are mentioned in the report in order to guarantee a faithful representation of minority opinions and collective reflections . This approach ensures a balanced consideration of the positions expressed, while strengthening the transparency and deliberative richness of the process.

The content and formulation of the proposals are influenced by the progress of the working days, which are constantly being adapted. In Vernier and Lancy, the "World Café" method allowed participants to refine the proposals in several iterations. small groups each proposal, justifying them using the structuring formula “It’s important because”. In Thônex, the emphasis was placed more on deliberation in plenary to strengthen their relevance and acceptability for the whole group, limiting the number of proposals to eight and integrating a preliminary stage of defining objectives to guide their development. In addition, the voluntary presence of the heads of the municipal services concerned was a major asset, providing insights into municipal skills and feasibility constraints, optimizing the relevance and quality of the proposals while facilitating their consideration by the municipal authorities, thus strengthening the impact and effectiveness of the system.

At the end of the work, the municipal authorities receive the reports of the two deliberative tables, compiling the proposals developed collectively. These documents are forwarded to the municipal departments concerned for in-depth analysis, in order to assess their feasibility , taking into account municipal skills, budgetary and regulatory constraints, as well as the resources necessary for their implementation. The administration also examines possible synergies between these proposals and projects in progress, in preparation or envisaged , thus maximizing their coherence and their contribution to municipal action. The analysis results in a formal response from the municipal authorities, which details the methods and timeframes for implementing the selected proposals, while explaining in a reasoned manner the reasons for not integrating certain recommendations. This approach makes it possible to maximize the effectiveness of municipal actions by integrating citizen contributions into an overall strategy . This stage of analyzing proposals can represent a significant burden for the administration, due to the necessary coordination between several municipal departments. Each proposal must be examined in detail to assess its feasibility, which requires significant human resources. When proposals involve skills or responsibilities shared between different departments, this requires close collaboration to ensure a consistent and comprehensive assessment. This administrative complexity underscores the importance of limiting the number of proposals selected to a manageable volume, to ensure thorough and efficient processing. A smaller number of proposals allows for more focused effort on their analysis and implementation, while ensuring the quality of responses from municipal authorities and reducing the risk of delays.

The conclusions of the administration's analysis are recorded in a restitution report, presented publicly during the concluding assemblies and made available to the public online . This document guarantees the transparency of the process and reinforces credibility by demonstrating the attention paid to citizen contributions by the politician. It presents the administration's analysis, justifies the acceptance or rejection of proposals, and details the implementation methods for the ideas retained, such as a provisional timetable and key stages . This document not only marks the starting point for the concrete application of the selected proposals, but also constitutes an essential frame of reference for monitoring the commitments made by the municipality . It allows participants to see the impact of their contribution on municipal decisions and offers all residents increased transparency on the actions undertaken. In this sense, it ensures collective and informed monitoring of the measures adopted in response to the deliberative work, thus consolidating the link between active citizenship and local governance.

Municipal administrations paid close attention to the proposals made by residents. In the interests of consistency and efficiency, they adopted a cross-cutting approach, grouping together proposals with a similar theme or objective. Thus, they made commitments on two levels. On the one hand, they made general commitments aimed at addressing the broad concerns expressed by the community , by establishing strategic orientations that reflect shared priorities. On the other hand, they formulated specific commitments to address more targeted needs and provide concrete and operational solutions to specific problems.

Examples of proposals and commitments from municipalities

In Vernier,

Proposals :

1. Improve the communication of information about existing and future parks and infrastructure. For example: create pictograms on various infrastructure (accessibility, children's playgrounds, BBQs, etc.); reinforce information via the website and social networks.
2. Make all municipal information concerning ecology accessible in real time using all communication channels (including social networks). Provision of an application on the municipality's website to calculate its carbon footprint.
3. Develop an application (local/communal) or a means of information/communication to communicate on the entire Verniolan mobility system: charging stations, water points, public toilets, self-service bicycles, existing carpooling applications.

Commitments of the municipality:

1. Commitment 1: set up an interactive/thematic map tool on the municipality’s website (2025 – 2026).
2. Commitment 2: organize public information, reflection and debate sessions on environmental issues (from 2025).

In Lancy,

Suggestions:

1. Increase visibility of what the municipality offers (infrastructure, community events, etc.): - By having individuals (e.g., community centers; make people available for questions on request). - Simplify the municipality's website - Create a general application to make the municipality's activities visible
2. Develop a mobile application for Lancéen residents.
3. Diversify the means of communication upstream/downstream of municipal projects.
4. Organize quarterly question and answer sessions with municipal representatives.

Commitments of the municipality:

1. Commitment 1: Development of an interactive terminal outside or at the entrance to the BAM (Municipal Administrative Building)
2. Commitment 2: Development of a chatbot (conversational agent)

The concluding assembly marks the final stage of the Residents' Council. Organized several months after the last session, it offers administrations the time needed to analyze and process the proposals made by the participants. This key moment allows municipal authorities to present a reasoned response, positioning themselves on the feasibility of the proposals, their implementation methods, or, where applicable, the reasons justifying their non-integration. Open to all residents, the concluding assembly also constitutes a space for direct exchanges between the authorities, the participants of the deliberative tables and the public. It offers the opportunity to answer the main questions, to provide clarification on the decisions made and to discuss the proposals. It paves the way for a discussion on the follow-up of the administration's feedback and the steps for the implementation of the selected proposals. Finally, it allows for a general assessment of the system and a reflection on the future prospects of the Residents' Council. This final moment, by reaffirming the importance of citizen engagement, reinforces the credibility of the process and the confidence of residents in the municipality, and contributes to perpetuating the dialogue between residents and authorities.

Dates of the Concluding Meetings:

Lancy: May 2024

Vernier: October 2024

Thônex: June 2025

Summary of the main steps

The Residents' Council process takes place in four main phases. Mobilization ensures the active and informed participation of the population and target groups. It begins with the dissemination of information. through various channels. Training sessions are organized for the population and municipal staff to strengthen their skills and ensure a shared understanding of the project. Targeted interventions by partner associations address the specific obstacles faced by target groups, informing them about the program and encouraging their participation.

The selection of participants and the choice of themes ensure representative participation in the Residents' Council, focused on issues relevant to the municipality. Registration is open to all residents, who are also invited to propose themes online. An online vote or an open assembly is organized to select the themes, ensuring transparency and inclusion. Groups are formed, with random selection if necessary, to ensure representativeness of the groups and a diversity of perspectives. Selected participants receive a confirmation of participation.

During the deliberative roundtables , participants receive training on the principles of deliberation to enable them to conduct constructive discussions. They learn about the topic in depth, attend hearings with experts and municipal officials, identify potential courses of action, deliberate together to formulate proposals, and collectively write a report summarizing their conclusions and recommendations.

Feedback from the municipal authorities ensures that the participants' recommendations are taken into account. The report is presented to the authorities by the participants. The administration analyzes the proposals, assessing their feasibility and relevance. The authorities provide a detailed response, indicating which proposals will be adopted, modified, or rejected, and the reasons for these decisions. A concluding assembly shares the results with all residents, providing a space to discuss future prospects.

Analysis and lessons learned

All participants appear to have been generally satisfied with the Residents' Council, although several areas for improvement were suggested in comments and during individual interviews, which indicates a certain reflexivity on the part of the participants regarding the process, a desire to see it repeated and a willingness to take ownership of it.

The analysis by the Residents' Council highlights key elements to ensure the success of a participatory and deliberative process. The diversity of participants strengthens both the legitimacy of the recommendations and their ability to reflect the varied needs of the population. Ensuring this diversity requires targeted mobilization, an appropriate selection procedure, and support measures to overcome linguistic and practical barriers. Furthermore, the selection of clear and engaging themes is essential to mobilize participants and structure discussions. Well-defined themes, rooted in concrete issues, stimulate collective reflection, while themes that are too vague or insufficiently divisive risk limiting the depth of deliberations. Finally, an adapted and flexible process , with methodological choices such as limiting the number of themes, helps focus work on priority issues, encourage more productive discussions, and strengthen the quality of proposals. With a rigorous methodology adapted to local realities, the Residents' Council demonstrates that it is possible to create a space for fertile dialogue where citizens are actively involved in the development of public policies.

Its multiple experiments have offered valuable lessons and substantial avenues for improvement. In particular, several challenges remain: maintaining a balance between the quality of deliberations and inclusivity for all participants, guaranteeing concrete and visible results for the entire population, and ensuring the sustainability and replicability of the system over the long term. Building on this experience, this system is today a flexible model, applicable and adaptable to other contexts .

External links

https://conseildeshabitants.ch/

https://participer.ge.ch/processes/verni er

https://participer.ge.ch/processes/lancy

https://participer.ge.ch/processes/Thonex" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://participer.ge.ch/processes/Thonex

Integration through civic practices - InCite Report https://www.ge.ch/document/10244/telecharger