How can cross-border participation succeed and what is meant by citizen participation in Poland, Belgium and Switzerland? These country reports shed light on the importance of citizen participation in politics and society in the eight countries participating in our Common Ground programme. The reports provide a nuanced understanding of citizen participation, show the legal framework and institutional structures in these countries and highlight some outstanding participation projects.
The reports were written by experts on citizen participation in each country. They are based on secondary research, interviews with political and academic actors and the authors' own expertise. The country reports present a snapshot of citizen participation in the Common Ground countries. They neither claim to meet academic standards nor to provide a representative or comprehensive overview of the citizen participation landscape. They highlight differences and provide initial guidance on how to organise cross-border participation processes in a culturally sensitive way.