Going out of the town hall: The benefits and how they can be achieved

Against the backdrop of new forms of local activism and the difficulties local governments face when aiming for more participatory governance, this paper explores which new approaches or governance tools could be used to harness the transformative potential of local communities with the long-term goal of building an environmentally sound, economically successful, and culturally diverse future. In a European research project, insights on local sustainability initiatives and participatory processes were gained by observing existing initiatives, initiating pilot projects and exchange with stakeholders. Building on this research, this paper argues that new governance tools are needed to counter some of today’s persistent problems. These tools are characterised as discussions at eye level of all participants, open-endedness and the development of a common vision for a local community. Local governments can initiate these processes or get into contact with initiatives of engaged citizens. However, which role a government should take – roadblock, bystander, co-pilot or driver – needs to be decided according to the needs of the community and the initiative on a case by case basis.