Event on August 11: After a short introduction to the event as well as an introduction of the participants, the representatives of the city of Niterói presented the project "Encosta Verde". Thereupon, the experts from Marburg introduced the methodical procedures of planning citizen participation. The session ended with an open discussion on how to integrate the experts' input into the "Encosta Verde" project.

Event on August 18: Building on the first session, the second session focused on more in-depth planning for citizen participation in the "Encosta Verde" project in Morro da Boa Vista. For this purpose, the representatives of the municipality of Niterói, together with the experts from Marburg, worked out the following aspects by means of interactive methods: 1) objective of the project; 2) objective of citizen participation in the project; 3) target group of citizen participation; 4) communication strategy; and 5) methods of citizen participation. In addition, the experts from Marburg presented practical examples of reaching and involving citizens in project development and implementation.

During the virtual expert missions, the following results were obtained regarding the establishment of a citizen participation process for the "Encosta Verde" project in Morro da Boa Vista in Niterói:

Planning:

• Before its implementation, the citizen participation process requires sufficient planning, including a clear definition of the objectives of this process and a determination of the target group and their scope of decision-making and action during the process. In addition, the participation methods should be determined and the communication strategy and procedure for documenting the process should be worked out.
• Comprehensive information about the affected community is the basis for planning the citizen participation process. The data can be collected through a survey if necessary.
• During the entire citizen participation process, all participants should be fully informed.
• The citizen participation process requires clear expectation management, with established priorities of the project and citizen participation.
• Conflict can undermine the project and the participation process, so a conflict management strategy is essential.
• The success of the project and participation process depends on the acceptance and ownership of the affected community.

Goals and scope of citizen participation:

• The goals, issues and scope of citizen participation must be clearly and specifically defined.
• This serves as the basis for determining appropriate methods of citizen participation.

Communication Strategy:

• The communication strategy should inform citizens about the project and the participation process in order to gain their acceptance and ownership.
• The communication strategy must be inclusive and thus reach illiterate citizens.
• The communication strategy should involve the local "multipliers" (citizens with a high representation in the community) in order to reach as many citizens as possible.

Methods to reach and involve citizens in the project:

• A personal letter from the mayor with project information, addressed to the affected community, and delivered by a person recognized in the community. This person may also deliver citizen participation tools (e.g., survey) directly to community residents.
• Project information and citizen participation tools distributed to the community in public places, during existing events (e.g., church fairs, social gatherings), and through "guerrilla marketing."
• The presentation of the project and the participation process can be combined with a social event (e.g., a concert) to mobilize participants.
• Online methods of citizen participation (online surveys, digital meetings, etc.) are also possible.
• Methods should be inclusive and simple in design.
• Different methods may need to be used to reach different population groups.

Outlook

Another virtual meeting is planned with the representatives of the City of Niterói in early September 2021 to develop a communication plan. In addition, further virtual secondments of experts from Barra do Garças in Brazil and Mexico City in Mexico will take place, which will support the representatives of the City of Niterói in their plan to strengthen public services in the community, especially with regard to renewable energy generation. More information about the upcoming expert missions will be available soon on our Website and in our Connective Cities Community.

Presentations

CC_Expert Mission_Niteroi_MasterPresentation (002)_0.pdf 
Masterpräsentation mit erstem Experteninput von Marburg

APRESENTAÇÃO_Encosta Verde_Connective Cities_11-08-2021_0.pdf
Project Präsentation “Encosta Verde”, Niterói

Präsentation_ConnectiveCities_Niteroi_Marburg Teil 2.pdf
zweiter Experteninput von Marburg