According to a report by the Urban Policy Observatory of IRMiR from 2019, the smaller the city, the fewer opportunities for social engagement for residents. We responded to this problem by conducting workshops on civic engagement for people living in three towns in Lower Silesia: Chojnów, Środa Śląska, and Złotoryja, each with fewer than 20,000 residents. As part of the project, we strengthened direct democracy, which includes social consultations, giving citizens the opportunity to express their opinions and be heard, and we improved the way public issues are communicated.

First, we trained representatives from the three municipalities on the topic of consultations and citizen participation. We organized meetings in the municipalities that identified topics worthy of public discussion. Then we supported the trained individuals in planning and conducting the consultation processes in their towns. We created reports for each municipality, which included a description of the context and subject of the consultations, the course of the consultations, a summary of the opinions received along with responses from the municipal authorities, and an overview of the role of local partners. Finally, we prepared an evaluation and promotional video. During the consultation processes, we recorded short statements from participants about their observations and impressions of the consultations, as well as possible recommendations.

In each town, residents had the opportunity to learn about social consultations and see how they work, which allowed for discussions on new initiatives. They greatly appreciated being involved in decision-making processes regarding the spaces they live in. Additionally, officials from each town had the opportunity to exchange experiences.