Democracy in Action: Larissa a Finalist in Innovation in Politics Awards with Novoville Technology
At Novoville, we believe that a thriving democracy hinges on active citizen engagement and meaningful participation in the decision-making process. Our commitment to this ideal is exemplified by our collaboration with the Municipality of Larissa on the project, ‘Democracy in Action: Innovative Consultations and Citizen Participation’, which was proudly recognised as a Finalist in the prestigious Innovation in Politics Awards, supported by the Council of Europe.
Bridging the Gap Between Citizens and Local Government in Larissa, Greece
The cornerstone of a healthy democracy is the relationship between citizens and their governments. Traditionally, this relationship has been hindered by communication barriers, a lack of transparency, and limited opportunities for meaningful engagement. The Municipality of Larissa, with the support of Novoville’s innovative technology, sought to dismantle these barriers, creating a seamless, interactive, and impactful dialogue between the public and their elected representatives, using various communication channels.
Our technology facilitated 3 Chatbot-enabled consultations, a mobile poll, and 2 live tele-consultations, empowering citizens to voice their opinions, contribute ideas, and influence policies that shape their community. By leveraging advanced technology, we provided user-friendly interfaces that made participation accessible to everyone, regardless of their tech-savviness.
Key Features of the Consultation Methods in Larissa
- Inclusive Participation: The consultations were designed to be inclusive, ensuring that voices from all demographics were heard, and were accessible by web, social media channels and chat apps, and the Novoville app.
- Real-Time Feedback: Citizens could provide real-time feedback on proposals and initiatives. This immediate input was crucial for policymakers to gauge public sentiment and adjust their strategies accordingly.
- Data-Driven Decisions: By collecting and analysing data from the consultations, the Municipality of Larissa could make informed decisions that genuinely reflected the opinion of the people.
- Community Building: The live tele-consultations, particularly, fostered a sense of community by encouraging discussions and debates among citizens. This helped build a more engaged and informed public.
Recognised Excellence: Finalist at the Innovation in Politics Awards
The annual Innovation in Politics Awards celebrate groundbreaking projects and creative politicians that demonstrate exceptional political innovation across Europe. All projects are evaluated by a Citizen Jury of more than 1,000 Europeans. This year, the awards ceremony was held in Barcelona, Spain, on May 2nd. The recognition of the Municipality of Larissa’s project as a finalist in these awards, in the category ‘Democracy Technologies’, is a testament to the impact and potential of our collaboration. It also underscores the significance of citizen participation in shaping the future.
Project’s Impact
By adopting innovative consultation methods and using sponsored social media campaigns to attract a wider audience, the Municipality of Larissa managed to capture more residents’ opinions, reduce response time, facilitate re-engagement, get actionable feedback on what residents need, save costs by 80%, and make data-driven decisions.
More than 6,500 residents participated in the consultations, thus contributing to the betterment of their community, which represents a 3x increase in participation compared to traditional consultation methods.
Overall, 210,500 residents of Larissa and adjacent areas (77% of the local population) were reached through social media and through the Novoville app regarding the consultation process and the issues for discussion.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Democratic Engagement
At Novoville, we are continuously evolving our technology to meet the changing needs of citizens and local governments. Our vision is to expand the reach of our innovative consultations, making them a standard practice in democratic processes worldwide. By doing so, we hope to foster a more inclusive, transparent, and participatory form of governance.
Join the Movement
We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Whether you are a citizen eager to have your voice heard or a policymaker looking to enhance your community’s democratic engagement, Novoville’s consultation platform is here to support you. Let’s put democracy in action and build a better future for all!