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To address the issue of waste, two swap shops have been set up in the climate villages of Skive (Denmark), by the citizens themselves. There, you can hand in used items for others to benefit from, an initiative that has especially created excitement among the youngest in the area. Toys are changing...

In Mechelen (Belgium), a holistic project to restore and transform the river that runs through the city was subject to a large experiment in layered participation and inclusive design. The project focuses on making space for both nature and the public by restoring the river into a rewilded and cooli...

Every summer, France comes alive with a nationwide initiative: “Quartiers d’Été” (Summer Neighbourhoods). This program brings communities together through free, family-friendly cultural activities. Thanks to the efforts of local social centers, underserved communities are offered the opportunity to...

How can we efficiently engage citizens in conversations and decision-making for climate change? Our partners in Malmö recently tested a method developed by the Klimatriksdagen, who have conveniently shared all their tips and tricks for creating a climate citizen assembly in a handbook. This document...

The Speak Up project has officially reached its halfway mark! After a year and a half of dedicated collaboration, our twelve partners have led a range of pilot initiatives, navigated a variety of challenges, and uncovered valuable insights along the way. To capture this collective knowlegde, we cond...

The Hannah Arendt Institute has just published its report on the Collective Impact Model (CIM)! This report outlines how the CIM was applied in three of Speak Up’s partner cities: Malmö, Mechelen, and Skive. It combines clear theory with on-the-ground practice, offering tools, inspiring case studies...

In Roeselare (Belgium), a unique initiative is transforming neighbourhoods by building stronger local support networks. The Dialogue Maker is a full-time community facilitator who’s responsibility is to actively help residents both offline and online. He provides residents with information, support,...

In Oldenburg (Germany), the opening of a new leisure area turned a simple park into an opportunity for citizen participation. During the “Name Vote” initiative, citizens were invited to help name the area as part of its official opening on August 15th 2025. Around 140 suggestions were collected that...

In Oldenburg (Germany), creative ideas are being used to spark conversations and promote civic engagement. With the “Oldenburg Beermats”, residents were invited to take part in a unique initiative that connected everyday dialogue with broader themes of democracy and inclusion. In this article, the c...