Policy Recommendations for Integrating Participatory Methodologies Into the Green Deal
In Brussels, Fátima Alves and Diogo Guedes Vidal, from the Societies and Environmental Sustainability Research Group of the Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet, Associate Laboratory Terra at the University of Coimbra and its Extension at Universidade Aberta of Portugal, are at the final conference of the Phoenix H2020 project!
For the past 4 years, we have been co-producing pathways for ecological transitions that are just, empathetic and resilient across 11 EU regions. But we’re not stopping there!
- Fátima Alves will join a roundtable at the European Parliament on:
“POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTEGRATING PARTICIPATORY METHODOLOGIES INTO THE GREEN DEAL.” 
Why does this matter? Because the answers to today’s socio-ecological challenges require more than top-down strategies — they need the voices and knowledge of communities at every step, including both human and more-than-human perspectives.
Because ecological and social crises are not solved through decisions taken behind closed doors. The legitimacy and strength of every solution can only emerge from dialogue, listening, and the weaving together of theory and practice.
From Bologna to Gata-Malcata, we have learned that:
Context matters
- Trust takes time to build — but it’s the backbone of change
- Success needs to be redefined to include wellbeing and justice
- Nature and its elements must be included as partners, not mere resources
- Digital tools must be combined with local proximity
- Diverse and plural knowledge deserves to be respected and valued
We propose a new horizon: Regenerative Democracy — a democracy that cares, co-produces, and accepts collective responsibilities extending beyond the present:
- Permanent local co-design structures
- Training for facilitators
- EU-wide guides for creative evaluation
- Rights of Nature
Our aim is to help make the Green Deal truly participatory.
