Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Innovative Civic Engagement Practices
On December 12, 2023, stakeholders gathered at the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine offices in Limoges to discuss mobilizing citizens, especially young people, in local and regional projects.
The event, organized by France Active Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, saw participation from a broad array of stakeholders, including NGOs, NPOs, educational institutions, local governments, and civic organizations. Notable participants included Young Regional Council Nouvelle-Aquitaine, representatives from various municipalities such as Marval and Faux-La-Montagne, educational bodies, and civic engagement initiatives like "J'adopte un projet."
Good Practices from Nouvelle-Aquitaine
The workshop highlighted several good practices for citizen engagement:
- Multi-Purpose Community Health Centers: A center was created in Marval municipality after consulting local residents, showcasing the importance of direct community involvement in health services and the effectiveness of newsletters and websites for communication.
- Young Regional Council Nouvelle-Aquitaine: This council engages young people in regional policy making, especially on environmental issues, demonstrating the power of random selection for inclusivity and mobilization through educational institutions.
- Participative Finance Platforms: "J'adopte un projet" allows residents to financially support local projects, matched by regional funding, highlighting the first step towards greater civic involvement.
- Local Initiatives in Faux-La-Montagne: The municipality's growth was attributed to its encouragement of local initiatives and direct citizen involvement in decision-making commissions.
- Citizens' Days in Aureil: The municipality organizes clean-up days and committees for various projects, emphasizing community building and active participation.
- Veyrac 'Third Place' Initiative: This project focused on political change through participatory events and training residents, illustrating the potential of third places as catalysts for civic engagement.
Conditions and Obstacles for Success
What does it take to translate these good practices into successful outcomes, and what challenges might communities face along the way? We produced an infographic detailing the conditions and obstacles for success for three exemplary practices, aiming to inspire further innovation in citizen mobilization.
Infographic: Nouvelle-Aquitaine Good Practices
You, our readers and stakeholders, are directly invited to delve into these insights and reflect on how they might be implemented in your own communities. How can these strategies enhance involvement in local governance and projects, fostering a more vibrant and participatory civic life? Let's take these learnings and apply them to build stronger, more engaged communities together.
