Municipalities spared from war and climate disasters must learn to live sustainably. To this end, administrations must establish a framework for building a socially just and ecologically sustainable future. As Lucy Hofmann, Hannah Strobel, and Jennifer Wagner demonstrate, this can only be achieved through the active involvement of residents.
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The current polycrisis highlights that environmental crises and social inequalities are intensifying and exacerbating each other simultaneously. As global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather events, causes ecosystems to collapse, and makes resources scarcer, more and more people find themselves in precarious situations. The consequences of these ecological crises affect the financially weakest the most: rising food prices, heat waves with no means of protection, and floods in poorly secured residential areas.
The vicious cycle of polycrisis
At the same time, social inequality hinders ecological change. People with low incomes cannot afford energy-efficient appliances or sustainable alternatives. Meanwhile, the wealthy find it easier to advance their interests politically. This creates a vicious cycle in which environmental crises exacerbate inequality and inequality blocks the urgent environmental measures needed to address them.
Municipal authorities are particularly affected by this tension. Here, crises manifest as overheated neighborhoods, overburdened social systems such as child and youth welfare or social assistance, and conflicts over increasingly scarce land. However, opportunities arise at this level: through new forms of participation, residents, initiatives, and administrations can work together to find solutions. Participation creates acceptance and opens spaces for solidarity and hope. This requires effective participation. So, what does this form of participation look like?
Influencing decisions
First, participation must influence decisions. It must be organized in such a way that it is accessible to all and enables genuine co-determination. The first step is identifying the problem. As Sherry Arnstein (1969) made clear in her famous participation ladder, only those who have real influence on decisions experience genuine participation. However, many municipalities remain stuck on the lower rungs. They provide information and hold consultations that have little effect. Formats, events, and opportunities to gather the opinions of the population often come too late, do not include everyone, or lack binding power. Many municipalities also face structural hurdles. For example, they lack the human and financial resources necessary to implement targeted participation (UBA).
Additionally, frequently used participation formats are often difficult to access, which excludes certain population groups due to linguistic, social, or digital barriers (Schnurr 2018). Even when people recognize that they are affected, this does not automatically lead to engagement. Many feel overwhelmed. Others lack the time or trust in the process. Added to this is the feeling that they cannot make a difference anyway. Consequently, many remain inactive (UBA). International guidelines from the OECD and IAP2 demonstrate how to successfully incorporate participation: through early involvement, transparent processes, and equal collaboration. Effective participation requires more than symbolic politics. It must be fair and structurally anchored.
How can participation be successful? With donut tools!
Municipal authorities can only succeed if they involve residents early and inclusively. In 2024, the German Institute for Urban Studies demonstrated that meaningful participation results in higher population satisfaction and more efficient planning processes. According to Kate Raworth, the donut model enables participation and sustainability to be viewed holistically by preserving people’s social needs within planetary boundaries. It addresses the issues of our time that must converge: combating the climate crisis and minimizing social inequality. We cannot reduce ecological stress limits without social participation. Participation processes based on the donut model force us to consider both perspectives simultaneously. Climate protection measures must promote social justice, and social policy must remain within ecological limits.
In concrete terms, expanding renewable energies should consider not only the ecological impact, but also affordability, accessibility, and municipal value creation. It could also mean that urban development ensures not only CO₂ reduction but also affordable housing and public spaces for all. These solutions complement each other instead of pitting environmental and social needs against each other.
Learning from Amsterdam
The city administration has demonstrated that this model is not just theoretical but can be used to initiate concrete processes. To this end, those involved asked themselves the fundamental question: “How can Amsterdam be a home for thriving people in a thriving place while respecting the well-being of all people and the health of the entire planet?” Through a participatory process involving the city administration, civil society, academia, and businesses, a city portrait was created to inform the city’s circular economy strategy. Workshops were held to refine goals, identify conflicting objectives, and develop concrete implementation measures. At the same time, a permanent network was established to organize and institutionalize participation at the neighborhood level.
Amsterdam has demonstrated how to structure, make transparent, co-create, and effectively implement participation. Based on this model, the Next Economy Lab has developed tools based on the Donut Economy that address social inclusion and provide an opportunity for all municipalities. Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in the transformation. How this can be achieved?
Invitations to participate
Municipal government must go to the people — it cannot expect people to come to it. At the same time, it is important to show appreciation for residents who take the time to participate. Participation is often described as a privilege, and people should be grateful for it. However, this does not apply to socially inclusive participation. Various formats take into account the need for appreciation and accessibility, such as a letter from the mayor, posters on community or youth center information boards, or an information stop. The administration can set these up where people gather, such as in front of supermarkets or in marketplaces. These locations create a relaxed atmosphere with inflatable seats or signs. The information is accessible and multilingual. This makes participation easy and ensures the invitation is open to all.
Trust
Trust is built through transparent processes, active listening, and recognition. The participation process should be transparent from start to finish. It should be visible on flyers and websites, and it should be explained in conversation. The goal should be to ensure that residents understand what will happen as a result of their participation. This prevents unrealistic expectations. Participation should happen with, not for, the people. This means participation should respond to residents’ needs and develop based on them. One way to achieve this is through a neighborhood tour with the donut check, where residents and administrators walk through the neighborhood together and evaluate its social and ecological standing. In this way, the administration shows that it recognizes the realities of people’s lives.
Implementation
Transformation requires all of us. That is why the power to shape it must lie with those who will be affected by it. This minimizes conflicts. It is important that residents can implement changes themselves, such as installing a balcony power plant or creating a flowering meadow. These actions create positive experiences and a sense of self-efficacy, which enables openness to more profound changes. At the same time, people come into contact with each other. Different perspectives give rise to collective knowledge, making the transformation more socially just and ecologically sustainable.
Institutional continuity
Institutional continuity is the key to sustainability in participation. New ideas can only emerge, trust can only grow, and decisions can only be made on a broad basis when spaces remain open permanently. This does not always have to be an entire citizens’ assembly. Working groups on specific topics, calls to build shade benches together, or community festivals are sufficient. The important thing is to engage in constant dialogue and share positive experiences. Regular meetings strengthen cohesion. This makes transformation easier. All tools can be found online.
These points demonstrate that participation is essential. It is a prerequisite for a socially just and sustainable transformation that takes all people and their needs into account. The tools presented above address people’s realities, provide guidance, enable genuine participation, and create lasting change. Participation, as defined by the donut model, offers the opportunity to break free from the vicious cycle of polycrisis by linking ecological responsibility with social justice. This creates a new collective scope for action, transforming communities from places of helplessness into places of transformation.
Note from the editors: All of the authors of this article are active at the Next Economy Lab.