Problem addressed

In an increasingly connected world, the lack of communication and cooperation between local governments and citizens is a growing concern. It can lead to mistrust among citizens of governing institutions and general societal unrest. This can, in turn, hinder the implementation of measures that require behavioural change in citizens, as they are less trustful of public authority and less engaged in local life. Community-led solutions are an important way of building trust between citizens and government and ensuring that solutions to problems are sustainable and long-lasting.

Innovative solution

Local Agenda 21 was launched at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, known as the Rio Summit. It is a governance model that aims to promote grassroots democracy, sustainable development and improved communication between citizens and public authorities at the district level. In Vienna, Austria, it led to the implementation of the Local Agenda 21 from 2002 to 2009, renamed Local Agenda 21 Plus (LA21+) from 2009 to 2014.

LA21+ is implemented by the LA21+ Association. ‘Agenda Offices’ have been set up in participating districts in the city to motivate citizens to take part in shaping the sustainable development of their district. Citizens of all backgrounds meet to discuss and identify local needs and ideas for development. The Agenda Office can help implement these ideas. Ideas vary depending on the requests of the citizens and the district, but their core focus remains on economic, environmental, social and cultural matters, with a focus on sustainable development.

The aim is to develop trust between different groups in the community and between citizens and public authorities. LA21+ gives citizens a voice and a space to discuss and share their needs and identify solutions, which are then brought to life by local authorities.

Key results and benefits

Between September 2009 and 2014, six districts of Vienna implemented LA21+. Due to the wide range of activities that LA21+ covers, there have been a wide variety of results. Within the area of Donaustadt, for example, citizens’ ideas that were implemented included improving cycling infrastructure with more bicycle parking spaces and interconnecting cycle lanes, and the development of a new community garden, with increased networking between cultures. In Josefstadt, a public neighbourhood ‘meeting zone’ was created, city gardens were built to reduce the urban heat island effect, and a ‘buy local’ initiative was introduced. The district of Liesing predominantly focused on cultural exchange, supporting refugees through language lessons and a neighbourhood acquaintance exchange scheme. A community garden was also developed to unite children of different cultures within one residential area. Other activities implemented across the six districts included designated green areas within cities, youth and sports schemes, safe school routes, upgraded roads and community parties.

Potential for mainstreaming

Between 2009 and 2014, the ‘MA18’ Department of City Development and City Planning received EUR 922 440 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to carry out activities in its six existing agenda districts. Since 2013, after recognising its impact and good practice, the City of Vienna has funded the project and extended its operations to ten districts. As a result of the funding, the LA21+ Association now has the financial capability to expand into a further two districts, with one Agenda Office in place already. The City of Vienna, inspired by the initiative, is also planning to enact ‘Participatory Budgeting’ at the district level in the future, thereby placing financial allocation powers, as well as decision-making, closer to citizens.

LA21 is a global initiative which has been adopted in countries worldwide. LA21+ Vienna is willing to share its knowledge internationally to further support the transferability of the initiative. Other districts of Vienna have already started replicating LA21+ participatory ideas in their area. Furthermore, LA21+ in Vienna has been recognised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for its comprehensive programming promoting sustainable business and implementing green activities.

The LA21+ Association established a partner programme called ‘Grätzloase’ in 2015. The programme is run by the LA21+ Association, and encourages community involvement with the primary aim of developing diverse use of green spaces across the city. Their goal is to unite culture, nature, leisure and recreation within open public spaces, accessible to all.