The effects of the Corona pandemic are shaping public life. Particularly in spaces where citizens interact with each other and take part in democratic processes these effects become a serious issue. The challenges posed by the virus vary from region to region. In this context, dependences and asymmetries between the Global North and the Global South and existing power structures must be taken into account.
Nevertheless, in recent months, committed initiatives have developed creative approaches to continue to enable citizen participation. Important experience has been gained with regard to online events and digital solutions for participation, which can also be promising for the (post-)pandemic future.
Together with Esperance Chantal (Nairobi, Kenya), Nadezhda V. Gavrilova (Moscow, Russia), Antoine Bézard (Grenoble, France) and Giovanni Allegretti (Coimbra, Portugal), we want to take a closer look at projects with different emphases on citizen participation, especially in the field of Participatory Budgeting, and discuss approaches dealing with the impact of the pandemic on them. The event will be moderated by Dr. Stephanie Hanke (Bonn, Germany).
Participatory Budgeting is a participatory process (in Germany located only on the municipal level) in which the expertise of citizens is incorporated into the distribution of public funds.
This is a recording of the last bpb:connect-conference on 8th September 2020.