Citizen Participation & Inclusive Governance

Sustainable development is driven by local governments that are responsive to the needs of their citizens and willing to involve them in their decision-making processes. Next to that, citizens need to be empowered to make their voices heard and cooperate effectively with the authorities.

This course discusses strategies and approaches to promote citizen participation in local governance, analyzing their benefits and limitations. We will examine different communication tools and consider the importance of managing the expectations of citizens, community organizations and other stakeholders. Special attention is given to ensuring all voices are heard, including women, youth and people with disabilities. Furthermore, we will explore how citizens can be empowered to voice their concerns and hold their governments accountable.