At a time of multiple institutions themselves are in trouble, citizens and communities across the continent are taking action to shape a fairer and greener Europe. From big cities to small towns, in this podcast we take you on a discovery of true stories of democratic innovation: climate assemblies, local initiatives, and participatory processes that often escape the spotlight but can make a difference.
Through 10 episodes, we travel to 10 European territories as part of PHOENIX, a three-year European project involving 11 countries and promoting experimentation with new forms of public deliberation. The. project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N. 10103732.
First episode: polycrisis a democratic response
Europe is facing many different crises, starting from a decline in democratic institutions. The first episode explores how, before this situation, new participatory methods may promote democratic innovation and support the ecological transition. This is the way PHOENIX empowers citizen participation to shape environmental policies.
Guests: Giovanni Allegretti, Alessio Giussani
Second episode: Hot-land. Raising temperatures and land use in Iceland
How does human activity impacts rising temperatures on Iceland’s ecosystem? This episode explores the rising temperatures and land use issues in Iceland, discussing the environmental challenges related to global warming and the strategies adopted to manage land use changes specifically to the agricultural sector. Connecting with rural municipalities across the country, the PHOENIX project helped developing practices to restore trust, to engage again and create a dialogue between localities and central government on specific environmental issues.
Guests: Jon Olafsson and Benjamin David Hennig
Third episode: I’m on fire. Climate change and wildfire prevention
Focusing on the Gata-Malcata pilot project, this episode examines climate change and wildfire prevention strategies across Spain and Portugal. Anabela Paula and Giovanni Allegretti discuss the challenges related to wildfires in the context of climate change and in the engagement of local stakeholders to prevent fires. The guests also talk about how PHOENIX is developing innovative solutions to mitigate these risks and protect ecosystems as well as looking for political solutions to work across borders.
Guests: Giovanni Allegretti and Anabela Paula
Fourth episode: Blowing in the wind. Offshore wind energy
This episode delves into offshore wind energy, focusing on the PHOENIX pilot project in France. Paired with developing citizen engagement in energy transition policies, this experience shows how the future of wind energy could be in community-driven ecological transitions.
Guests: Guillaume Guesnon and Carmen Bouri de Santiago
Fifth episode: No One Left Behind
The city of Szeged, in southern Hungary, is facing extreme climate events like droughts and heatwaves triggered by pollution from fossil fuel and waste-based heating in suburban agricultural areas. The episode focuses on the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly to find solutions for issues like transportation, waste management, and the expansion of urban green spaces.
Guests: Gyula Nagy, Nandor Zoltan Traser and Andras Szkalisity