For the very first time, the European Union is organizing 3 citizens' assemblies to discuss views and suggestions for the next EU budget (2028-2034): currently, 150 citizens have been selected by lottery and will be taking part in the process.

As global democracies struggle with declining trust, exacerbated by economic and environmental crises, participatory budgeting, alongside other methods like mini-publics and collaborative governance, offers pathways to revitalization. These techniques empower citizens in decision-making, fostering accountability and trust. Participatory budgeting focuses on direct financial allocation, mini-publics on representative deliberation, and collaborative governance on shared management. All aim to enhance transparency and inclusivity. These methods, especially when applied to the EU level budget, can counter rising discontent and strengthen democratic engagement. Such methods can also play a vital role in democratizing fiscal decisions by incorporating diverse perspectives and fostering public ownership of budgetary priorities. While challenges exist, exploring these participatory approaches is crucial for addressing democratic erosion and improving governance within the EU and beyond, especially as the European Green Deal comes increasingly under attack and a wave of backlash risks reversing the main climate and sustainability-related policies by nourishing distrust in a politically sustainable transition.

The next budget will entail a series of challenges, ranging from financial size and a new governance architecture to support for the socio-economic transition into clean energy and widespread distribution of affordable supply to European households and businesses feeding into the European legislative targets of a decarbonised future. Will the next EU budget be able to deliver on the priorities of the European public? What exactly are these according to the public, and what are the best ways to create trust and collaboration between citizens and the institutions? Let’s seize this great occasion to discuss participation and make a sustainable future possible together!

AGENDA

Networking Coffee | 13:00 - 13:30

Welcome and short intro | 13:30 - 13:35

European Climate Foundation - (TBC)

1st Panel | 13:35 - 14:30

"What’s (not) working: Experiences from beneficiaries of EU funds, and reactions from civil society and the EU Commission"

This session includes EU budget beneficiaries from across different EU MS and EU budget programmes (such as Horizon, Life, Interreg, etc.), who will discuss some (good/bad) examples of EU funded projects, as well as experiences from monitoring committees. Civil society representatives and the EU Commission will then react to these positions and have a debate on potential recommendations.

Speakers:

Sarah Grau (Énergie Partagée)

Claire Roumet (Energie Cities / Local Alliance)

Angela Olcina (DG REGIO - positive examples of climate adaptation)

Zita Herman (BUDG committee Policy Advisor for the Greens/EFA)

Miloslawa Stepien, (CEE Bankwatch Network) [Online]

Moderation: Chris Vrettos (REScoop.eu)

Coffee Break | 14:30 - 14:45

2nd Panel | 14:45 - 15:45

"Making the next EU budget accessible, democratic, and in service of a sustainable, climate compatible, clean economy future "

A discussion on how the EU budget can be improved, both as a process - i.e. how to ensure more participatory budgeting, citizens’ assemblies, bolstering the Partnership Principle-, but also in terms of its content, in service of climate/gender/just transition/public participation mainstreaming, full implementation of DNSH, earmarking of funds for climate and the transition to sustainability - i.e. SMEs, social enterprises as well as energy communities, utilizing OSS to simplify access to funds. The debate on content ranges on substantial needs and expectations and how to deploy the EU funds effectively and in the benefit of the demands of the wide range of stakeholders that will be brought together under this panel.

Speakers:

Taube Van Melkebeke (Head of Policy, Green European Foundation)

Thomas Freisinger (Euronatur)

Rasmus Nordqvist (MEP, Greens/EFA)

Ines Campos (University of Lisbon, coordinator of Incite Dem project) [Online]

Moderation: Olivier Vardakoulias(CAN-EU)

Wrap up and next Steps | 15:45 - 16:00
Fransesc Cots (Ecounion)

We would like to acknowledge Alba Berhami Sintomer's invaluable support in helping co-organise this event.