In this interview, we speak with Signe Bak Jorgenson, who works in the Business and Development department at Skive Municipality. Signe focuses on rural development and citizen engagement, particularly in the context of the green transition. One notable project is the municipality's Climate Villages initiative, where they are actively implementing innovative citizen engagement methods such as the Art of Invitation. These initiatives are directly related to their participation in the Speak Up project, which aims to empower citizens and communities to play a proactive role in addressing environmental challenges.
Can you tell us something about yourself and your organisation?
I work in Skive Municipality's department of Business and Development. Our team operates with a specific focus on rural development and citizen engagement. Our efforts are directed towards facilitating the green transition and actively involving our community in this endeavor. Situated in the rural areas of Skive Municipality, our pilot projects underscore our commitment to rural development. Our objective is to create a sense of ownership and participation among citizens, ensuring their active role in shaping the sustainable future of our municipality.
What inspired your organisation to join the Speak Up project and what do you want to achieve through your participation in this project?
The decision to join the Speak Up project stemmed from a pressing question: How do we effectively engage citizens in the green transition? Climate action poses numerous dilemmas, with the municipality bearing responsibility while concrete actions must be taken by citizens themselves. Our focus lies on mobilizing citizens in activities and goals that directly impact their daily lives, from using public transportation to reducing meat consumption and sorting garbage. However, we also aim to explore less conventional methods of citizen participation. One theory we are investigating is the power of community-driven initiatives. By bringing a whole community together around shared sustainability goals, individuals may find it easier to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
This approach taps into the collective identity of a community, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose in pursuing the green transition.
What are your expectations of participating in the Speak Up project?
Our participation in the Speak Up project is motivated by two key objectives. Firstly, we are driven by the challenge of engaging citizens in the green transition, a task that involves navigating various dilemmas and uncertainties. Climate action requires active participation from citizens, as many of the actions needed to achieve climate goals must be carried out at the individual or community level. Our aim is to explore effective methods and tools for engaging citizens in sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon footprints, adopting eco-friendly behaviors in private and public spheres, and promoting community initiatives focused on sustainability. Additionally, we are interested in understanding how community-based approaches can enhance individual motivation and collective action in the context of the green transition. Our Climate Villages serve as living laboratories where we can test and refine engagement strategies tailored to the needs and dynamics of rural communities.
Secondly, we recognize the importance of internal capacity building within our organization to effectively support citizen engagement in the green transition. This involves assessing the competencies, governance structures, and organizational practices needed to facilitate meaningful citizen involvement and mobilization. By collaborating with knowledge partners like VIA College and potentially other institutions such as Groningen University, we aim to leverage research-based insights and methodologies to inform our internal capacity-building efforts. This collaborative approach enables us to identify best practices, develop tailored solutions, and enhance our organizational readiness to engage citizens in sustainability initiatives effectively.
Overall, our participation in the Speak Up project offers an opportunity to advance both our understanding of citizen engagement in the green transition and our internal capacity to support such efforts. By leveraging research-driven approaches and collaborating with diverse partners, we aim to contribute to positive societal change and promote sustainable communities within our municipality and beyond.
What is a citizen engagement initiative that your organisation is proud of?
One citizen engagement initiative that our organization takes pride in is the implementation of the Art of Invitation method in our rural development areas, alongside citizen budgeting. The Art of Invitation method has proven to be effective in promoting meaningful engagement with community members and eliciting valuable insights for planning and development initiatives.
This method involves setting up a "pop-up shop" in villages or rural areas, where residents are invited to participate in discussions and activities centered around their feelings, visions, and dreams for their community. Rather than focusing solely on practical considerations like infrastructure or amenities, we delve into the historical and emotional connections people have with their surroundings. For example, in one instance, we curated old photographs of the area and encouraged residents, particularly older members of the community, to reminisce about the past and share their perspectives on how the community has evolved over time.
By asking unconventional questions and embracing diverse viewpoints, we aim to engage individuals who may not typically participate in traditional planning processes. This approach not only enriches our understanding of community needs and aspirations but also promotes a sense of ownership and empowerment among residents.
Furthermore, we are actively exploring ways to adapt the Art of Invitation method to incorporate a climate sustainability focus. By integrating considerations related to climate action and sustainability into our engagement efforts, we seek to align community development initiatives with broader environmental goals and create resilient, eco-conscious communities.
Overall, the Art of Invitation method exemplifies our commitment to innovative and inclusive citizen engagement practices, bridging the gap between technical planning processes and community-driven decision-making.
We have this hypothesis that if a community is working together, it becomes easier for individuals to be involved in decision-making processes. Therefore, we focus on citizen engagement in communities.
Could you share any upcoming initiatives or events related to Speak Up that your organization is currently working on?
Currently, our organization is focusing on several upcoming initiatives and events related to the Speak Up project. One significant development is the process for selecting the climate village, which involves a series of steps culminating in a political decision.
In May, we had three meetings with my colleagues and representatives from VIA University to develop a comprehensive process plan. These meetings played a role in outlining the framework for citizen engagement and mobilization efforts within the selected climate village. Subsequently, in June, we aimed to implement the Art of Invitation method in the first climate village, facilitating meaningful interactions and insights gathering from community members. Following the initial implementation in June, we plan to replicate the Art of Invitation method in September in the second designated area.
Overall, we are excited about the upcoming events and initiatives within the Speak Up project, as they represent opportunities to further our commitment to citizen engagement and sustainable community development.
