Welcome to the European Institute for Public Participation
Launched in spring 2009, the European Institute for Public Participation (EIPP) is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to promote better decision-making through public participation. Its key activities are:
- Research into what works when in terms of engaging the public in the decision-making processes which affect their lives and society and the environment at large
- Evaluation of specific participation activities to develop a better and deeper understanding of the factors which make these activities effective – or ineffective – in order to learn from experiences
- Building capability and capacity of those charged with fostering the participation of the public in decision-making, based on the evidence from research and evaluation
- Developing networks of researchers and practitioners in public participation across Europe and linking with similar networks in other continents
- Promoting the benefits of public participation through changing the attitudes and behaviours of the politicians and public officials involved.
Achievements
Led by Prof Patrizia Nanz of the University of Bremen, EIPP has achieved a remarkable string of successes during its first year of operation. It has
- Published Public Participation in Europe – An International Perspective, a research study describing the state of the art in public participation in Europe with particular focus on UK, Germany and Italy
- Held a conference at the Young Foundation in London, involving stakeholders from central and local government, key public services and NGOs
- Evaluated BürgerForum Europa, a major public participation exercise on the future of Europe which involved the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation
- Promoted public participation through media interviews, newspaper articles, TV appearances, conferences and workshops in various European countries and the USA
- Been appointed European Editor of Participedia, the innovative platform for exchange of information, research and good practice in public participation which is the brainchild of Archon Fung from Harvard University
- Carried out in-depth research into participatory methods on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation
- Drafted the European Handbook of Public Participation to be published in both English and German in spring 2010.
Future
Over the past 12 months, the momentum behind public participation has been building apace. The new US president’s open, transparent approach to government has set an example for governments and raised the expectations of citizens around the world. Independently, many European governments at national, regional and local level have been experimenting with – and, in some cases, legislating for – greater public participation in key decisions. Digital media has now come of age and is able to facilitate much closer dialogue between politicians and the public they represent. The global financial crisis has further damaged confidence in the ability of politicians and public institutions to provide effective governance, which in turn has reignited citizens’ determination to have greater say and control over their futures.
The demand for the core activities which EIPP is uniquely placed to provide has already far outstripped its ability to deliver them; this trend is set to increase over the next few years, particularly with EIPP’s agreement to coordinate Participedia activity in Europe. To date, EIPP has been fuelled work of its chair, Prof Patrizia Nanz, and by the financial contributions and pro bono efforts of its founder members.
To meet the demands which will be placed on it over the next 3-5 years EIPP is seeking core funding to cover the following activities:
- Research – continuing research into what works when in public participation
- Developing networks – continuing to develop networks of public participation researchers and practitioners across Europe and linking with networks in other continents
- Coordinating the European development of Participedia – ensuring that the European dimension is properly represented in this new and technologically innovative global resource
- Promoting the benefits of public participation – through a five-year strategy and rolling annual plan of activities to change attitudes and behaviours relating to public participation.
To complement its core work, EIPP will continue its contract-based work, particularly in evaluating public participation activities on behalf of public bodies and NGOs and building capability and capacity through conferences, workshops and training activities.
To discuss how you can support EIPP’s core mission to promote better decision-making through public participation, please contact:
Prof Patrizia Nanz, EIPP Chair, patrizia.nanz(at)participationinstitute.org
David Mathews, EIPP Co-chair, david.mathews(at)participationinstitute.org
Or please contact us:
European Institute for Public Participation e.V.
Beethovenstrasse 19a
28209 Bremen
Germany
Vereinsregister Bremen, Nummer VR7293HB