The climate crisis calls for fundamental transformation processes in all areas of life. At the same time, the rise of far-right and populist movements makes it clear that sections of society feel ignored by politicians and radically reject the transformations that lie ahead. In response to these multiple crises, it is essential to actively involve as many citizens as possible in the transformation processes.

The DEMETRA project, involving universities and partner organisations in seven European countries, analyses processes of citizen participation that aim to give all sections of society a political voice. What opportunities do these so-called deliberative participatory processes (DPPs) offer, and what challenges do they entail? The researchers are focusing in particular on DPPs within the food system. The project will result in recommendations for action and tools designed to enable the democratic governance of sustainability transformations at EU, national and local levels.

Further information on the project is available in a German-language leaflet and on the English-language project page of Queen Mary University of London.