Citizens´ Assembly Network: Making climate assemblies mandatory

Bild zur Veranstaltung Citizens´ Assembly Network: Making climate assemblies mandatory
© Björn Obmann

How can the non-binding recommendations of citizens’ assemblies be turned into binding decisions? The “Klima trifft Kommune” (Climate Meets Local Government) project is attempting to do this by combining lotteries with referendums. Climate protection proposals from residents randomly selected from three cities and a Berlin neighborhood are put to a vote by their fellow citizens. The results of these votes are binding; local governments must implement them.

So far, such climate citizens’ assemblies have taken place in Osterburg, and the Berlin district of Marzahn-Nord. Another climate citizens’ assembly will take place in Pinneberg in the fall of 2026. In Marzahn-Nord, the mini-public results have already been approved in a resident survey. The referendums in Flensburg, Osterburg, and Pinneberg will be held in 2027.

In this online event, participants in the “Klima trifft Kommune” project will share their experiences to date. Reporting on the project will be

  • Rabea Koss, Society for Climate and Democracy
  • Steffen Krenzer, Mehr Demokratie
  • N.N., members of various climate assemblies

Registration for the event will open shortly.

Citizens’ Assembly Network

The Citizens’ Assembly Network is a association of people who are committed to promoting the greater use of citizens’ assemblies at the local level or who are involved with them for other reasons. The network’s goal is to foster an ongoing exchange on open questions regarding mini-publics - such as topic selection, random selection procedures, implementation, costs, and the implementation of citizens’ assembly recommendations. Learn more about the network here.

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