Green Cities with Smart Citizens

Nowadays, more and more online solutions are available for decision-makers to ask the citizens’ opinion on different initiatives and investments, but there are also general obstacles which prevent the effective involvement of citizens in case of urban-related topics such as green solutions. The basic problem is the lack of relevant knowledge and the applied jargon which is difficult to understand or keep up with. In this rapidly changing world, we must also pay attention to explain new innovative tools, methods, solutions and best practices in urban development for the public as we can only have green cities with smart citizens. Active and responsible citizens are aware of their surroundings, and the problems and questions occurring in their cities, and moreover, they are ready to make their voices heard on the topics affecting their livelihood and well-being. Co-creation in urban development is an important methodology for the municipalities as it is the most efficient way to consider the needs of citizens directly, not to mention that they can increase the public acceptance of their strategies, investments and projects. Smart cities will provide more and more opportunities for citizens to participate in decision-making.

We would like to empower 18-65-year-old citizens in these fields in order to be able to shape urban design efficiently and improve their awareness on how to act responsibly in participatory decision-making which can affect them directly. Aware and open-minded citizens can be involved successfully in urban decision-making and, thus, contribute to their own greener, cleaner and healthier environment, neighbourhood and city. We believe that WE CAN ONLY HAVE GREEN CITIES WITH SMART CITIZENS. Our objective is to prepare citizens to be able to take part in any form of citizen engagement related to a GREENER CITY. We would like to give opportunity to our target group to strengthen their CRITICAL THINKING and personal competences, and this way, FOSTER their COMMITMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN GREEN URBAN ISSUES. We offer non-formal learning activities and materials for open-minded adults who would like to take part in civic engagement and, therefore, affect directly their environment and, eventually, their well-being. Greenvolve also helps understand and promote the European Union’s objectives and values related to environment, climate and energy. Participation can also lead to behaviour change and, therefore, a more sustainable lifestyle.

Greenvolve was built on two pillars: (1) GREEN CITY ELEMENTS and (2) PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS and other form of civic engagement. The first two Project Results established the theoretical background of our two pillars. In case of PR1 - Handbook on Green City Elements, we focused on different innovative solutions and processes related to climate change and sustainability that can contribute to smarter, greener and healthier cities. PR2 - Adult Education Toolkit for Citizen Engagement shows a way from the labyrinth of terminology related to active citizenship. Our goal was to summarize the different types of public consultations, and to strengthen the citizens’ personal skills. A database on green solutions and public consultation (PR3) supplements the first two PRs with real-life examples to support the better understanding. An online platform was also created (PR4) to incorporate all developed project results at one place, and also to offer a gamified tool to make “learning” enjoyable for the citizens. The professional project results (PR1-PR4) were supported by further project activities including project management and dissemination.

The first two Project Results established the theoretical background of our two pillars. The PR1 - Handbook on Green City Elements is an adult education material on green city elements which was validated via a joint staff training. The partnership identified finally 69 GCEs and elaborated them while customising to the citizens’ needs, available in 6 languages. In PR2, a comprehensive Adult Education Toolkit for Citizen Engagement was developed including different adult education materials for boosting critical thinking and about the main principles of citizen involvement. It also contains 30+ eye-catching, downloadable visualised materials for social media campaigns in 6 languages covering PR1 and PR2 outputs and topics. PR3 databases are the collections of European good practices on both Greenvolve pillars. The created Greenvolve online platform (PR4) not only makes all developed materials available in different forms (.pdf, e-cards, videos, etc.) but also offers a game in six languages that encourages citizens to use their critical thinking in green city related questions. With our organised multiplier events, we reached 295 stakeholders directly exceeding the planned 270 participants.