The transformative potential of co-governance in the green transition of neighbourhoods

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:Policy makers, local administrations and neighbourhood[1] actors across Europe and beyond have access to evidence-based guidance and recommendations to support public participation in the green transition[1] of neighbourhoods, including their nature-positive[3] transformation.Co-governance[1] approaches aligned with NEB help balance interests, power and knowledge asymmetries and adopt more-than-human[1] approaches at the neighbourhood level; and inform policy, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks at the national and EU levels. Scope:Public participation in the governance of the green transition of neighbourhoods presents an opportunity to improving inhabitant’s quality of life while addressing climate, biodiversity, and pollution challenges. For instance, co-governance may contribute to enhancing representation, legitimacy, transparency and accountability, but also to balancing interests, flattening knowledge hierarchies, fostering inclusion and equity, and building a more balanced human-nature relationship. However, despite robust evidence, the connection between culture and democracy remains underused in co-governance approaches. As platforms for civic participation, cultural institutions and actors can have a key role in fostering engagement and cohesion among diverse participants and communities[1]. Digital tools (such as AI-supported participatory platforms, open data environments, and interactive modelling systems) can facilitate co-governance by enabling real-time feedback, broader engagement, and evidence-based decision making.This topic will investigate how co-governance can support a fair green transition in neighbourhoods while also provoking positive changes in society, culture, the arts, the natural environment as well as the public perception and reputation of those neighbourhoods.Proposals are expected to address all of the following:Refine