About Green agenda
Green Agenda is a participatory method for developing and implementing local sustainable development strategies and plans with active involvement of the different sectors in the local community where the process is conducted. The method is special, compared to other processes with similar aims, in at least 3 main aspects: the process starts out by identifying local values rather than problems; participation in the process is not limited to experts or certain stakeholder groups but is wide and open to all; and as a result the process and its results are genuinely owned by the local people.
values
At the start of the work in the community local stakeholders identify the values of their community. The main idea is to focus on things local people are proud of, instead of focusing on problems. Examples of values are local water resources (lake, river, drinking water supply) and cultural heritage (ruins from the Roman times, museums, local food and songs). Of course the values can be in bad shape, which could be remedied in the frame of further Green Agenda steps.
wide participation
The Green Agenda process is open for all those who are interested, whether they are recognized experts or not. We believe that everyone who is committed to their community can contribute to the success of the process and its outcome, and should be enabled to do so. This implies that we pay special attention to local capacity building with a view to providing the local population with the tools to effectively take part in the process and in the implementation of actions.
local ownership
After the selection of 3-4 priority values, local Working Groups will be formed elaborating one of the values each. These groups analyze the status of the values as well as come up with ideas for actions and projects in the frame of an agreed strategy. All these steps are taken by the local people, and are based on their priorities, needs and wishes. Due to this, they are very motivated to really implement their plans as laid down in the Green Agenda document. Often new local groups are formed with the express aim of implementing and monitoring implementation of the plans.
background
The concept of Green Agenda was first developed in Romania, by Milieukontakt and its local partner Focus Eco Centre. The success of that effort has convinced Milieukontakt that this method is a powerful tool to really bring about positive and lasting change that makes the place we live in a better one. The idea of the implementation of the Green Agenda originates from the Local Agenda 21, introduced globally at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. However, as pointed out above, the Green Agenda starts out with local natural and cultural values, and focuses on identifying win-win scenarios for local sustainable development using the identified values. Quite naturally, economic and social factors are taken into account in these scenarios.
Download here the Fact Sheet on Green Agenda:
