Launch Event at the Young Foundation, London, 24 April 2009

An enthusiastic group of participants from central government, local government, third sector and academic and research organisations attended the launch of Public Participation in Europe, a new report by the European Institute for Public Participation, which highlights the need for higher quality evaluation if public participation is to play its role in renewing democratic processes. Without evaluation, public participation cannot shed its current image of benign novelty and assume its intended position as an essential and powerful force in political and social decision-making – and convincing politicians and administrators that it is here to stay.

Having leafed through the Executive Summary and heard presentations from the researchers, participants exchanged views and experiences in a sunny Victoria Park Square and made some important connections between theory and practice during the plenary session. Download a Summary of Issues Raised.

This report is unusual in that it is unfinished and will remain so. We are promoting it as a work in progress and inviting practitioners and experts in the field of public participation to join us as authors. We hope to inspire a new conversation – informed, critical and innovative.

To register your interest in this initiative, please contact us.