The idea behind Vision Workshops is to bring together representatives of different groups (the general public, city administration, and/or schools) in their local context to make the concept of climate neutrality accessible to the population and to develop a shared vision for a future that is climate neutral.
Name of Method
Brief description
The idea behind Vision Workshops is to bring together representatives of different groups (the general public, city administration, and/or schools) in their local context to make the concept of climate neutrality accessible to the population and to develop a shared vision for a future that is climate neutral.
Type/Level of Method
Challenges
Problem, Purpose and Needs
One aspect reflected in the Vision Workshops is that every individual has their own ideas about the future, especially regarding everyday life and one’s own personal environment. In the Vision Workshop, these are surveyed and then brought into connection with the necessary long-term transformation.
Relevance to Climate Neutrality
Challenges
Thematic Areas
Impact Goals
Issue Complexity
Issue Polarisation
Enabling Condition
Essential Considerations for Commissioning Authorities
Engagement Journey
Governance Models and Approaches
Enabling Conditions
Democratic Purpose
Spectrum of participation
Communication Channels
Actors and Stakeholder Relationships
Schools : The modules of the Vision Workshop can be integrated in class work and the curriculum. The students’ results can then be presented at school fairs and events. This way, children’s visions receive attention and can contribute to a creative transformation.
Municipal administrations: The Vision Workshop is a suitable approach to generate more public participation on the topic of climate change. The results form a valuable basis to develop or revise a long-term climate action strategy or the municipal mission statement. Individual components can also inform the work of respective departments (i.a. city planning, energy, transport, building construction). To achieve the maximum effect, you can define in advance the processes into which the workshop results shall be incorporated.
Participant Numbers
Actors and Stakeholders
Participant Recruitment
Interaction between participants
Format
Social Innovation Development Stage
Scope
Time commitment
Resources and Investments
Typical duration
Resources and Investments
In-house
Step by Step
The Vision Workshop is divided into six modules: Prepare, Arrive, Feel, Learn, Create, Share :
- The PREPARE module is similar to a preparatory phase that precedes the actual workshop, in which the participants collect their own impressions or discoveries from their surroundings and bring them to the Vision Workshop. The aim of the first module is for the participants to think about climate neutrality before taking part in the Vision Workshop and to explore how the topic relates to their personal life and environment.
- The Vision Workshop itself begins with the ARRIVE module. Here the participants are greeted and introduced to the event. In the course of this module, the Vision Workshop is positioned in the local or personal context. The participants are given an opportunity to get to know each other better.
- The FEEL module follows, in the course of which practical exercises aim at stimulating the senses (e.g. using images and sounds) to explore and express personal connections to the topic of climate neutrality.
- The LEARN module is designed to convey the key content regarding climate neutrality in an engaging manner. The input of external experts can integrate a more specific, technical perspective into the workshop.
- Creativity and teamwork are especially welcome in the CREATE module. Here the participants translate their new insights and conclusions and draft a vision. Ideally in small groups, various methods (pictures, roleplay, collages, etc.) can be applied to achieve concrete results.
- Lastly, the developed visions are shared with interested parties in the SHARE module. These can be policy makers, members of the public, or students in the various cities or schools, for example.
A brochure introduces each of the six standard elements of the toolbox workshop steps in detail and explains how and in what combination they should be used to achieve the best results. While these have different orientations, they share the overall goal of developing and presenting a shared vision by the end of the Vision Workshop.
Evaluation
Successful execution of a Vision Workshop depends on selecting the right methods for the local context as well as timely and sufficient preparation by the organisers.
Connecting Methods
Flexibility and Adaptability
Existing Guidelines and Best Practice
A guideline developed in the framework of the EUKI project "Bridging European and Local Climate Action (BEACON)" is available in English, Czech, German, Polish, Greek, Portuguese, and Bulgarian: https://energy-cities.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BEACON_Vision-workshop-toolbox_2020_en.pdf