Civic Participation and Processes​

Definition

The quality of life in a society depends, to a certain degree, on the government’s ability to offer security, order, and services. Equally important, if not more important, are the many activities that residents voluntarily, or not so voluntarily, do for the benefit of others outside their household and immediate family, and often for the collective welfare or public good/benefit/interest. Numerous studies since the early 1990s have focused on social capital and the decline in civic participation. In this review article, we claim that most studies of civic participation focus on small and narrow definitions of civic participation. Furthermore, scholars from one discipline rarely measure aspects of civic participation from the perspective of other disciplines.​

Explore the Resources of this Driver

E-Participation: A Quick Overview of Recent Qualitative Trends​

The paper maps the field of e-participation and related activities, as well as its relationships with other governance concepts. Areas of recent development in terms of e-participation applications are briefly reviewed. The paper selectively highlights conclusions from the literature on different participation tools, as well as a list of key problematic areas for policymakers. ​

Reference

Earth Activism Training​

Earth Activist Training is taking our mission online to build a resilient community as well as share, educate, and organize around the abundance of solutions permaculture can provide us now. Our mission is threefold: To bring the knowledge and resources of regenerative ecological design to communities with the greatest needs and fewest resources.​ To teach visionary, practical solutions and personal sustainability to social change activists, and to teach practical skills, organizing, and activism to visionaries.​ To provide a community platform that empowers cross-pollination and connection between regenerative political, environmental, and spiritual movements. ​

Tool

Youth Participation Strategy​

The Youth Participation Strategy aims at enhancing youth participation in democratic life through the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.​ Young people are increasingly now involved in ‘alternative forms’ of participation, including youth activism, community volunteering, online activism or youth social movements such as the climate activism movement.​

Methodology

e-SL4EU » The project​

The project aims to develop the Third Mission of universities into social engagement. The path involves the construction of a set of tools and specific knowledge addressing both HEI lecturers/trainers and students​.

Case Study