EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Citizen participation in local cultural policy development for European cities

Citizen participation in local cultural policy development for European cities

Introduction

'A vibrant, diverse and inspiring cultural life to which citizens of all local communities and subcultures have access and can connect with, makes up a substantial part of the social fabric that determines functioning and attractive living localities – the quality of life that a place offers. What makes an individual a citizen (or not) of a particular town or place is largely determined by cultural aspects,' the Guide to Citizen Participation in Local Cultural Policy Development for European Cities states. The Guide that was jointly created by the Interarts Foundation, ECUMEST Association and the European Cultural Foundation, provides practical measures for the establishment of participative local cultural development processes.

Description

This guidebook was made for civil society based cultural organisations, professionals working in both the independent and publicly financed cultural sphere, and especially for decision-makers who are responsible for cultural policy development in the local authorities and public administrations of cities across Europe. Furthermore, this publication addresses civil society and city-based European networks dealing with culture, all relevant EU decisionmaking bodies and indeed any interested EU citizen.

The guide consists of two different parts. The first chapters introduce a number of concepts and notions of culture and citizen participation in contemporary European cities. It provides an in-depth understanding of more abstract principles, which allows readers to put the practical steps proposed in part two into practice.
The second part proposes a series of subsequently realised measures and practical questions to consider when establishing participative local cultural development processes.

When establishing participative local cultural development processes the following steps should be taken:

Diagnose problems, opportunities, advantages and disadvantages
Define the main aims and priorities of action
Define key players
Consider the critical points of action
Establish a point of departure
Map the cultural resources available
Undertake the development of a strategic plan
Identify main dangers and how to overcome them
Define basic tools, instruments and measures
Conduct monitoring and phase evaluation

EU involvement

This project was funded with support from the European Commission, budget line: Measures in favour of civil society.

Contact info

European Cultural Foundation
Phone: +31 - 20 573 38 68
eurocult@eurocult.org

Publication date

05/12/2007

Article info
Author: Jordi Pascual i Ruiz & Sanjin Dragojević
Organisation: Interarts Foundation, ECUMES & European Cultural Foundation

Links

Click here for more information on the European Cultural Foundation Click here for more information on the Interarts Foundation Click here for more information on the ECUMEST Association

Click here to download the Guide to Citizen Participation in Local Cultural Policy Developments for European Cities (PDF, Eng, 852 kB)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Community development