The session focused on the preliminary findings and policy recommendations developed within the JRC’s research project “Public spaces as spaces for citizen engagement. Partnership to democratise science and policy”, which explores the role of public spaces as enablers of participatory democracy. The study, which builds on a series of case studies of everyday democratic engagement in diverse public settings, including libraries, parks, museums, and digital spaces, seeks to highlight how public spaces can counteract democratic deficits and enhance citizen participation.
Anna Paola Quaglia, coordinator of the research at the JRC, presented key insights from the study, including a set of ten draft policy recommendations aimed at fostering more inclusive, democratic, and participatory public spaces. These recommendations, developed in collaboration with eleven international experts, will be included in an upcoming Science for Policy report, set to be published in Spring 2025.
This research aligns closely with the ongoing work of the Cities of Equality Partnership, which is discussing a draft action dedicated to fostering more inclusive and participatory practices in local policymaking. Specifically, the findings resonate with two draft actions which focus on supporting local municipalities in creating opportunities for greater engagement of citizens of all backgrounds and making access to local services more equitable.
The event underscored the shared commitment of the Cities of Equality Partnership and the JRC in advancing knowledge and policies that promote civic engagement in urban environments. Moving forward, participants were invited to submit additional comments on the policy recommendations, ensuring that local expertise and on-the-ground perspectives contribute to shaping the final Science for Policy report.
For more information about the research project, visit the Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy’s website: JRC Research on Public Spaces and Citizen Engagement.
