States of Participation: International Best Practice in Civic Engagement

Abstract

This report opens with a discussion of the purpose of civic engagement, drawing from research that shows it is not only about enabling the public to express their views, but also building trust and strengthening democracy. This means that civic engagement needs to be embedded into institutional culture and practices. The epistemic or democratic functions of civic engagement therefore need to be considered by institutions. The report argues that, counter-intuitively, the Covid-19 pandemic has created fertile ground for thinking about greater civic engagement and public participation in decisions. Ten examples of innovative civic engagement methods in cities across the world are introduced and discussed. These cover digital platforms, participatory budgeting, citizens’ assemblies, participatory planning, and citizen science. There is an in-depth case study of Vienna, a city where civic engagement is deeply embedded in the practices of local government. Vienna is frequently cited as a place with a very high degree of public participation, and it is no coincidence that it is also regarded as the best city in the world to live in, along with a strong culture of innovation and community cohesion. The report closes by laying out the implications of these case studies, with suggestions of next steps for cities that seek to incorporate civic engagement principles and practices. Seven key recommendations are made: embeddedness, communications, defining policy areas, setting long- and short-term aims, adapting existing institutions, handling opposition, and co-producing shared values.