Awareness Rising for Demographic Change: The Need for a Participatory Approach

Abstract

To raise awareness of demographic change and to develop and implement measures on regional level demands for public participation in initiatives. DEMOCHANGE is faced with the question as to how an extrinsic topic can be presented to a diverse number of target groups and how governments and population can be motivated to deal with demographic change. As support instrument a Public Participation Manual to give guidance and support for the implementation of participatory approaches in model regions was developed. This Public Participation Manual provides some theoretical background and practical tools for individual, adapted implementation of participatory processes in communities and regions. Although the theory gives suggestions for the implementation of a participatory approach in regional development and spatial planning, it is essential to consider individual aspects of regions and communities in order to initiate a participatory process that is successful in the long run. Therefore, all participatory approaches conducted within the DEMOCHANGE project were adapted to the specific local context.