Many would like to be able to actively help shape the city as a citizen. Although elections have long provided the opportunity to at least indirectly influence politics, it is a little more difficult to get involved in concrete urban projects and ideas. That should now be changed. The Roman coalition has set itself the goal of strengthening citizen participation formats throughout the city. “Every resident of Frankfurt should have the opportunity to help shape the city,” explains Eileen O’Sullivan, head of the department responsible for participation. The City of Frankfurt is therefore starting a participation process with the development of “Guidelines for Citizen Participation” that will enable Frankfurt residents to influence the ways and forms of their own participation opportunities in the city.
As part of regular meetings of a working group made up of city administration, politics and civil society, a rough concept in the form of guidelines for meaningful and practicable participation should first be developed, which will then give all city departments, offices and companies a binding framework for citizen participation should. Above all, the guidelines are intended to give citizens more clarity and transparency with regard to the city’s participation processes.
Various perspectives of civil society represented in the working group
The working group will consist of 24 members. In addition to six members each from administration, politics and organized civil society – such as clubs, associations and initiatives – six places are provided for citizens. In this way, many different perspectives of civil society should be represented in the working group.
Six working group meetings are planned, which will take place in a central location in Frankfurt during the weekday late afternoon.
Applications can now be submitted for the six places still to be filled by citizens. Six places in the working group and six alternate places will be drawn from all applications received. The draw will be done in such a way that places will be given to people of different ages and genders, with and without international history. “This is one of several ways that we will involve citizens right from the start of the development of the guidelines for citizen participation in Frankfurt am Main,” says O’Sullivan. There will also be public events for citizens and online participation opportunities throughout the year, to which separate invitations will be sent. “It is important to us to set up various committees to develop the set of rules so that the broadest possible view of citizen participation from administration, politics and civil society is possible,” says O’Sullivan.
The project is controlled by the Citizens’ Participation Unit, which was set up in Department V under City Councilor O’Sullivan.
Application Information
Anyone who lives in Frankfurt am Main and is at least 16 years old can apply for the working group. The application period ends on Friday, May 5th.
Further information on the working group “Guidelines for Citizen Participation” is available online at eveeno.com/leitlinien-frankfurt to find. The application form can also be filled out directly there. Applications can also be sent by e-mail to [email protected] and by telephone to the Citizens’ Participation Office on 069/212-31640. The staff unit can also be contacted if you have any questions.
First information and FAQs at ffm.de.
(Text: PM City of Frankfurt)