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As the urgency of the climate crisis grows, cities are not only shaping policies but also rethinking the way decisions are made. How can democratic innovations help accelerate climate action? How can citizen participation make climate policies more effective, fair and impactful? 

These are the key questions at the heart of the Nets4Dem’s Climate Democracy Lab, which will take place in Grenoble on 25-27 March 2025. Find out how to register here.  

Hosted by Eurocities and Grenoble-Alpes Metropole, this event will bring together city representatives, democracy experts and changemakers to explore how participatory democracy can strengthen local climate action.  

Cities across Europe are already experimenting with new approaches to citizen engagement, but challenges remain in ensuring meaningful, sustained and effective participation. The  

Climate Democracy Lab offers a space to exchange experiences, test ideas and develop practical solutions to these challenges. 

Photo credits: Gemeente Rotterdam

Why democratic innovations matter for climate action 

The transition to climate neutrality is not just about technical solutions. It requires political will, public support and social justice.  

While cities are implementing ambitious climate policies, many face tensions in balancing short-term political cycles with long-term sustainability goals or ensuring that all social groups benefit from the transition. 

At the Climate Democracy Lab, discussions will focus on four crucial dilemmas that shape climate democracy: 

Long-term vs. short-term – How can cities balance urgent climate action with long-term sustainability goals that extend beyond election cycles? 

Local vs. global – How should cities navigate climate policies that require both local adaptation and alignment with global commitments? 

Rich vs. poor – How can the green transition be fair and inclusive, ensuring that vulnerable groups do not bear the greatest costs? 

Individual vs. collective – How can behavioural change at the individual level be supported by structural transformation in governance and urban planning? 

The Lab will feature interactive workshops, peer learning and real-life case studies, providing a platform for cities to exchange strategies on participatory climate governance. 

Photo credits: Jan Malý

City challenges on the agenda 

Several cities participating in the Climate Democracy Lab will present their ongoing challenges, offering a unique opportunity to collectively design solutions. These include: 

Aix-Marseille Provence (France): Addressing energy poverty through participatory governance in social housing. 

Prague (Czech Republic): Strengthening citizen engagement in sustainable urban planning through co-creation tools. 

Bordeaux (France): Developing a collaborative flood management model that integrates citizen involvement with environmental resilience. 

Reykjavík (Iceland): Encouraging a shift from individual to collective climate action, particularly in reducing car dependency. 

PETR Ariège (France): Overcoming resistance to climate-resilient housing innovations and building consensus among local authorities and citizens. 

Rotterdam (Netherlands): Institutionalising citizen participation in long-term climate policy following the city’s groundbreaking citizens’ assembly. 

These case studies will serve as a foundation for discussions, with participants collectively exploring how participatory approaches can make local climate policies more effective and socially inclusive. 

Join the conversation in Grenoble 

The Climate Democracy Lab offers a unique opportunity for city representatives, policymakers, and democracy experts to take part in hands-on problem-solving and peer learning.  

If you are working in the areas of green transformation, sustainability or  citizen participation in climate policies, this event is an opportunity to gain insights, share best practices and co-design practical approaches to cities’ real-life challenges. 

Where? Grenoble, France 
When? 25-27 March 2025 
Register now: https://eurocities.idloom.events/Nets4Dem_Democracy_Lab_Grenoble 

By bringing together city leaders and democratic innovators, the Climate Democracy Lab will spark fresh ideas and new collaborations for a more inclusive and effective climate transition. 

If you have any questions, or you want to find out more about the event, please email Aleksandra Ziętek, Democracy Lab Project Coordinator, at aleksandra.zietek@eurocities.eu