The project Be:In started in the autumn of 2016 and had a duration of two years. It aimed at exchanging good practices and creating a network between municipalities and non-profit organisations on the topic of inclusive participation, defined as the participation of people with fewer opportunities.

The direct target group was represented by elected people, or staff in non-profit organisations and local authorities working on citizenship participation.

The indirect target group was represented by the citizens, especially those who usually don’t participate.

This project was born as a result of the fact that today, in most of the European countries, we observe:

– A weakness in the results of the participative process implemented by the local authorities

– A scepticism towards public authorities, at local, national or European level

– The participants are not representative of the “common” inhabitants : very often they are committed citizens, political activists and very few are people with less opportunities, or social problems. The reason for that could be their lack of interest in public issues and local authorities.  However, some municipalities implement successful innovative tools.

Thus, the aim of the project was to strengthen participation of the citizens with fewer opportunities, in order to make their voice heard, and/or act locally to improve the standards of living together. It aims at capacity building and empowerment of people who usually don’t participate.

Objectives:

– To develop a cooperation between the partners on inclusive participation

– To strengthen the skills of the people who work on citizenship participation projects.

Among the activities carried out in the framework of the project we can mention: European meetings, learning mobilities,  exchange of good practices and elaboration of a compendium of good practices, assessment and dissemination of the project.

The partners of the project were:

P1 : Municipality of Billère / France

P2 : Comune di Silvi / Italy

P3 : Vulcan municipality / Romania

P4 : Gulbene municipality / Latvia

P5 : The Society of Polish Town Planners, Wroclaw Division / Poland

P6 : Municipality of Istiea – Aedipsos / Greece

P8 : Intercultural Institute of Timisoara / Romania

P9 : Municipality of Saillans / France