WP2 D2.5 Smart Governance Models

This document presents the second version of Smart Governance Models, building on work set out in the initial version (D2.4) submitted in M3. It provides an update on the specifications of the innovation pilots and outlines the existing governance models applied in the pilot areas. The aim is to analyse and model the governance processes implemented by the pilot cities and villages, highlighting how GREENGAGE Citizen Observatories can support top-down and bottom-up participatory mechanisms. These models contribute valuable inputs to agenda setting, policy making and decision making at local level. This extended version enriches the first release with a comprehensive literature review on engagement, multi-level governance and data driven policy. It frames the climate change challenges confronted by the Green Deal as a “wicked issue” to convey their unique complexity. It outlines a “systems thinking” approach to governance to capture better the holistic, multi-level engagement required. It explores the potential of Citizen Observatories to provide the participative dimension of a systemic approach. It concludes that these have great potential to enhance decision making and participative governance, if citizens are suitably empowered and resource invested in maintaining public motivation. This document also serves as the theoretical foundation of the smart governance model to be proposed within GREENGAGE’s White Book (D6.8) due in M36.