2025 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"

19th Edition

Phase 4 of 8

Results open vote 28/03/2025 - 31/03/2025

Process phases

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Santa Lucía de Tirajana: ECO Collective School

Official proposal

07/02/2025 17:08

Accepted

Once upon a time, in a municipality where neighbors dreamed of a future where their voices would be heard and considered, many wanted to engage in public life but were unaware of how to do so or what tools were available to them.

The councilwoman and the participation technicians, aware of this reality, decided it was time to take a step forward. They thought about creating a Citizen Participation Regulation, but they knew that in many other places, these processes were complicated and discouraging, as few people wanted to get involved in drafting a regulation. That’s when the idea of the "ECO" Collective School emerged, an open, diverse, and inclusive space where citizens could learn about topics that truly interested them while building connections and strengthening the community.

Thus, "ECO" was born, an inclusive learning space where neighbors, senior associations, environmentalists, community groups, women’s collectives, children and youth, and migrant groups shared concerns and knowledge. It wasn’t just about sitting and listening; it was about living participation through dynamic workshops and practical training. They discussed how to improve the work of collectives, how to strengthen bonds with other associations, and how to connect digitally with the administration.

Throughout 14 workshops, what started as a learning space became a vibrant and committed community. Friendships were formed, alliances were strengthened, and, before they knew it, the participants took an active role in the municipality’s life. When it came time to draft the regulation, it was no longer a dry and distant task but the next natural step in a journey they had taken together.

In this way, the municipality achieved something exceptional: a truly participatory, diverse, and representative regulation. But the story didn’t end there. Thanks to ECO, a group of committed citizens was formed, who became the "echo" of what they had learned and carried it to their associations, neighborhoods, and communities. The seed of participation had been planted, and its fruit was a more active, empowered citizenry aware of the power of their voice. And so, the story of participation in the municipality continued to bloom, because when people feel part of the change, the change becomes unstoppable.