20 March 2025
REAL DEAL Test cases 2024: Citizen Assemblies and Deliberative Formats in Europe
Test Cases
The REAL DEAL project is a European initiative designed to foster participatory democracy and deliberative decision-making on critical policy issues.
Source: REAL DEAL
Introduction
In 2024, a series of citizen assemblies and deliberative events took place across seven European countries and three EU-wide formats, addressing topics ranging from the European Green Deal and biodiversity to gender equality, climate justice, and food policy.
These events engaged diverse groups of citizens to develop policy recommendations, integrating expert insights, structured deliberation, and democratic decision-making. Below is a summary of each major case study.
EU-Wide Deliberations
Three large-scale deliberations were held at the EU level, each focusing on key elements of the European Green Deal and democratic participation.
1. Citizens' Deliberation on the Future of the European Green Deal (February 2024, Brussels)
This event brought together 85 citizens from 28 countries to deliberate on four core themes of the European Green Deal (EGD):
- Well-being economy
- Food systems
- Mobility
- Circular economy
Participants were selected through an open call and snowball sampling, with a focus on inclusivity. The deliberation included expert briefings, feminist moderation techniques, and scenario-based discussions, leading to consensus-based recommendations on each subtopic.
2. Feminist Festival: A Citizens’ Deliberation on the Green Transition (April 2024, Brussels)
This event, organized by Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), focused on intersectional feminist perspectives on the climate crisis, and attracted 71 citizens from across Europe.
Key topics included:
- Climate migration
- Environmental racism
- Energy poverty
Participants helped shape the agenda, ensuring bottom-up engagement, and the event used diverse formats such as embodiment theatre, academic presentations, and craft sessions. The festival emphasized gender inclusion, accessibility, and safe-space facilitation techniques.
3. Citizens’ Deliberation on Nature and Biodiversity (June 2024, Brussels)
This event was the third EU-wide deliberation, attracted 80 citizens from 28 countries, focusing on:
- Food and agriculture
- Chemical pollution
- Coexistence with large carnivores
The deliberation took place after the EU elections, making it highly relevant for ongoing policy discussions, particularly regarding the Nature Restoration Law. It introduced speculative policymaking techniques, integrating arts and storytelling to facilitate discussion.
National-Level Citizen Assemblies
Beyond the EU-wide events, citizen assemblies were held in seven European countries, each focusing on a specific national issue.
4. Italy – Online Citizens’ Deliberation on the European Semester (April 2024)
To ensure broader participation, the deliberation in Italy was held entirely online.
- 63 citizens from 16 of Italy’s 20 regions participated.
- The topic focused on national policy choices within the European Semester framework, including energy transition, employment, and social rights.
- Participants engaged in working groups, drafting proposals, and voting on policy recommendations.
5. Denmark – European Policy Lab on Economic Governance (December 2023, Copenhagen)
The Danish Policy Lab explored economic sustainability and well-being in policymaking.
- 50 citizens and civil society representatives participated.
- It was structured as a two-day event preceded by three online sessions.
- The deliberation sought to challenge traditional economic models and integrate sustainability into the European Semester.
6. Serbia – Citizens’ Assembly on Food Labelling (April 2024, Belgrade)
This assembly focused on improving food labelling policies to support healthier and more sustainable consumer choices.
- 70 participants engaged in discussions on front-package labelling, aligning with the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy.
- The assembly was preceded by an expert stakeholder roundtable, ensuring a broad input base.
7. Poland – Citizens’ Assembly on Food Policy (May–June 2024, Warsaw)
Poland’s second nationwide Citizens’ Assembly focused on how to ensure high-quality and environmentally friendly food by 2030.
- It was structured as a two-weekend event, integrating expert briefings, deliberation, and policy drafting.
- The assembly responded to ongoing farmer protests against the European Green Deal, situating its discussions in a politically relevant context.
8. North Macedonia – Climate Assembly on Reducing Air Pollution (February–April 2024, Skopje)
Given Skopje’s severe air pollution crisis, this assembly focused on energy, mobility, and public health policies.
- 65 citizens from across Skopje deliberated over six sessions.
- The process included focus groups, expert panels, and policy scenario discussions, leading to detailed recommendations for government action.
9. Greece – Citizens’ Assembly on Intergenerational Justice & the European Green Deal (June 2024, Athens)
The Greek assembly tackled youth participation and fairness in climate policies.
- 63 citizens participated, with a hybrid online and in-person format.
- The event was preceded by focus groups and a roundtable on green transition financing.
- Key questions addressed climate responsibility and fair distribution of policy burdens across generations.
10. Germany – Citizens’ Assembly on Climate-Neutral Economy & Consumption (June 2024, Berlin)
Germany’s assembly examined pathways to a climate-neutral economy.
- 60 participants from Berlin and Brandenburg engaged in discussions.
- The event was designed based on a prior webinar series on post-growth economics.
- A Group Delphi study with 16 experts preceded the event, ensuring a well-rounded knowledge base.
Conclusion
The REAL DEAL testcases of 2024 demonstrate a broad and innovative approach to citizen deliberation across Europe. From climate and biodiversity to economic governance and gender justice, these events provided a platform for citizens to engage directly with policy issues and contribute meaningful recommendations.
By integrating expert input, feminist facilitation, speculative policymaking, and digital engagement, the REAL DEAL project has set a new standard for participatory democracy at both national and EU levels.
