2025 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"

The Mar del Plata Climate Assembly involved a randomly selected group of individuals representing various sectors of society to address the climate crisis through a deliberative process. This process, conducted in collaboration with the organization Democracia en Red, was part of the (Re)surgentes project, a regional initiative aimed at promoting citizen participation in the creation of climate public policies.

Participants, from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and professional backgrounds, had the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making that directly impacts their lives. The assembly was carried out in two major phases: one of training and the other of deliberation. During the training phase, presentations and supplementary materials were provided, where citizens learned about climate change and ongoing public policies. This space allowed participants to acquire the knowledge needed to deliberate based on up-to-date and high-quality information. Additionally, an environment for the exchange of ideas and knowledge between citizens and experts was encouraged, with the goal of generating local proposals to tackle climate challenges.

The second phase, deliberation, consisted of working groups where participants identified problems and co-created solutions. These discussion spaces were key in formulating concrete proposals on three main lines of the Mar del Plata Climate Action Plan: communication and awareness (Pink Line), waste management and recycling (Purple Line), and climate emergency prevention (Turquoise Line). The working groups allowed ideas to flow, and participants reached a consensus on the best solutions to address the city's problems. Additionally, this process helped strengthen participatory democracy, showing that it is possible to involve citizens in decision-making, even on complex issues like climate change.

In summary, the Climate Assemblies in Mar del Plata achieved a successful participation process, creating a bridge between citizens and local authorities, and consolidating the community's commitment to building a more sustainable future.

For more information: resurgentes.org/es (External link) 

Presentation (PDF) (External link)