Two days of public workshops and conferences around how to improve participation in the city of Brussels. The meetings were open to all citizens and organized by the city authorities
Problems and Purpose
Create a new framework for participation for the city of Brussels
Background History and Context
After the local elections, the new legislative body wanted to start and accelerate the participation process in the city of Brussels. To do so, the city invited all interested citizens to a 2-days event in the centre of Brussels to exchange and create around participation
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Organised city of Brussels' department for citizen participation with the help of private companies and NGO specialists in citizen participation and the facilitation of workshops.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
120 people participated in the event. It appears that most participants were contacted through NGOs and other associations, even though a large communication campaign was created and implemented (OOH advertising, digital advertising).
Methods and Tools Used
The methods ranged from the presentation of inspirational cases to small-group brainstorming using post-its on issues such as the refurbishing of the city council's deliberation room.
Some more playful elements with weak ties to the processes were also available, including a photobooth and a "expression wall" where people could graffiti and draw.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
This initiative of the City of Brussels is interesting because of the methods and means implemented.
The event was held during the weekend when most invited associations and inhabitants are free. The city promoted the event through a reasonably extensive communication campaign. During the event, the organiser paid close attention to the visual quality and the facilitation within small working groups.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Analysis and Lessons Learned
We could point the traditional criticisms of this kind of event: ATS (always the same), entrance with a security guard and little opening to the public space.
But the main point of attention is probably that it was not easy to define why and what the meeting's were about. The vagueness of the requests and the practical outcomes made it less attractive and motivating to take part in it.
In addition, the process's speed (meetings lasting a few dozen minutes) could also sometimes be disappointing.
As a result, it is hard to assess whether these workshops achieved their objectives. The event oscillated between being the catalyst for renewing participation in Brussels and a PR stunt.