Within the framework of the Council of Europe Project "Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia," a group of 14 representatives from seven Georgian municipalities concluded a successful four-day study visit to Portugal.

From 14 to 17 November 2023, participants explored various participatory projects and exchanged insights on best practices and challenges in implementing mechanisms for citizen participation in political decision-making. The study visit to Portugal provided a valuable opportunity for Georgian representatives from municipalities and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to learn about diverse methods of engaging citizens, particularly children and youth, in political life.

The Georgian delegation visited projects at various levels, gaining insights into civil participation in municipalities of different sizes across Valongo, Lisbon and Cascais.

Mayor of Valongo, José Manuel Ribeiro, a strong advocate of active citizenship and democratic values, welcomed Georgian delegation to Valongo. He shared the success story of Valongo municipality, highlighting its effective application of diverse participatory initiatives. These initiatives serve as motivational tools, encouraging locals to actively participate in generating solutions for the challenges impacting their lives and communities.

Throughout the week, discussions emphasised the importance of children and youth participation, effective citizen engagement in improving urban biodiversity and the role of technology for citizens participation. Key highlights included the presentations about Children's Council of Valongo, youth participation in Lisbon through MyPolis, School Participatory Budgeting in Cascais, The BiodiverCities Valongo project, Lisbon´s Citizens’ Council, Rés-do-Chão participatory mechanisms for community ties, Cascais Control Center with digital practices of Smart City, and the technology in Valongo to foster participation (3D Glasses, gaming, robotics).

A representative from a local authority expressed gratitude for the experience and noted: “The thoughtful consideration of our needs during the planning of the study visit made it not only interesting but also tailored to our specific requirements, ensuring enriching and relevant experience for all participants.”

A representative of Civil Society organisation form Georgia mentioned in the feedback: “The diversity within the Georgian delegation allowed for valuable networking between the representatives of the municipalities and civil society organisations and enhanced prospects for future collaboration.”

The dynamic and productive study visit, jointly organised with Fórum dos Cidadãos, a civil society initiative based in Portugal, fostered connections and initiated discussions about potential future cooperation in the field of participatory democracy.

The Study Visit to Portugal was organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia”, by the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Division of Elections and Participatory Democracy, within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023 with the financial contribution of the Austrian Development Cooperation.