Across Europe, cities are accelerating investments in climate-neutral districts, digital tools, and large-scale renovation. Yet one element continues to fall behind: citizen engagement. A new report from Scalable Cities highlights why. Despite years of experimentation, most participation efforts remain at the lowest levels — centred on information sessions and one-off consultations — with limited impact on real decision-making.
The findings point to three persistent challenges. Structural obstacles, such as fragmented governance and short project cycles, make long-term engagement difficult. Social barriers — time pressure, uneven digital skills, and limited trust — prevent many citizens from taking part. And while digital platforms promise new opportunities, they often introduce fresh complexity or exclude those who need support the most.
Still, the report also offers a set of practical responses: creating permanent participation units inside municipalities, building partnerships with local intermediaries, and designing inclusive communication strategies that meet people where they are. These approaches help cities move beyond surface-level involvement and towards genuine co-creation.
At EGC, we see structured citizen engagement as essential infrastructure — just as critical as heat pumps, public transport, or energy-efficient buildings. Without people at the centre, the transition slows. With them, solutions become more equitable, more durable, and more deeply embedded in local communities.
Dive into the full report to explore how European cities can strengthen participation — and why the human side of the green transition can no longer wait.
© Photo Frank Cilius