Thread by @jonjalex

In our new @NewCitProj piece, we zoom in on Local Government

Why?

Because it's right at the heart of the crucible we're in

If #localgov can lean into the Citizen story, it could create the space for all of us

Intro THREAD below

Full post: medium.com/new-citizenshi…

This has been hugely inspired by lots of people and orgs - to name but a few...

@SimonFParker @OJGarling @Notwestminster @kirkdemocracy @jj_mclaughlin @NLGNthinktank @LocalTrust @demsoc @mySociety @clairemansfield @_LiberalPatriot @ewgjones @IndigenousKnow @involveUK and and and

The 3 futures we talk about in our broader analysis are all possible in #localgov

SUBJECT: councils could become administrative outposts of government-as-controlling-state

CONSUMER: they could remain stuck as branch outlets of government-as-service-provider

OR

CITIZEN

They could step into the role of enabler and space-holder - in relation to Citizens who are understood as fundamentally CAPABLE of working together to make places better and WANT to do it

How?

We've outlined three steps that draw from our thinking and experience both in the sector and beyond

Step 1: Share the big question(s)

We don't need councils to do everything

We do need spaces, resources, and expertise to help us

Questions, not answers

Step 2: Build the platform, inside and out

The kind of "interventions" needed then equip Citizens to participate... they are

a) rituals - bringing the Citizen inside councils and dissolving the "Us and Them" mindset of service provision

b) totems - big symbolic opportunities

[An aside on totems

If you need a little idea stim...

We are working to create a local authority version of the Everyday Participation Toolkit we designed for @CooperativesUK - with 7 Modes of Everyday Participation

The original is here:
everydayparticipation.info]

Step 3: Start experimenting

Get out there, frame a question, provide a structure that makes it easy and fun to get involved, and leave Citizens the space to make it better... and learn by doing so

Finally, we've set out two ways we @NewCitProj might work with these ideas

1. a two-part virtual workshop where we help you bring this approach to bear on your challenges

2. a Collaborative Innovation process (more here: medium.com/new-citizenshi…)

Let us know if we can help!

@noelito

OF COURSE 🤦‍♂️