FAQS Citizens Assembly

Welcome to the MultiPoD Virtual Citizens’ Assembly!

This event brings together citizens from across Europe to share experiences, discuss housing challenges, and shape inclusive policy recommendations. All proposals and voting will take place on the Decidim platform, ensuring transparency and equal participation for everyone.

Please read these guidelines so you know what to expect and how to participate effectively.

Principles of participation

1. Respect and openness

• Listen actively: Allow others to finish before you respond.

• Speak constructively: Focus on ideas, not individuals.

• Value diversity: Different cultural and linguistic backgrounds make the discussion richer. Be curious about others’ experiences.

2. Equality of voice

• Everyone participates: Facilitators will make sure each person has a chance to contribute.

• Avoid interruptions: Use the “raise hand” button or chat if you’d like to speak.

• Support quieter voices: Encourage others to share their thoughts and build on their ideas.

3. Privacy and safety

• Confidentiality: Sessions will be video-recorded for research purposes only. Recordings will not be shared publicly.

• Data protection: All personal data will be stored and processed in line with GDPR standards.

• Right to withdraw: You may leave at any time without explanation.

4. Commitment to the process 

• Participate in all phases: Review materials, attend live sessions, help draft recommendations, and vote.

• Be punctual: Join sessions on time and stay for their full duration.

• Come prepared: Bring your own questions and insights from the learning materials and your lived experience.

Detailed participation steps

1. Learning phase (before live sessions)

• Log in to DECIDIM to explore expert briefs, articles, and short videos on the state of housing in Europe.

• Note down any questions, ideas, or local examples you’d like to raise during the live discussion.

2. Joining the live deliberation (November 12, 12:00–14:00 EEST)

• Click the Zoom link provided. A consent form will appear—please read it carefully and click “Accept.”

• You’ll first join the opening plenary, where an experienced moderator will introduce the topic and explain the process.

• 2–3 experts will briefly answer key questions related to the materials already available on the platform.

3. Small-group deliberation process

• You’ll then move into a small multilingual group (around 20 participants), guided by a trained facilitator.

• Each group will focus on a specific sub-theme using practical scenarios or open questions to spark discussion. Together, you’ll explore experiences, challenges, and solutions, then draft recommendations collaboratively.

Here’s what to expect:

• Icebreaker & Introductions: Start by introducing yourselves and sharing where you’re joining from to build rapport.

• Exploring your sub-topic: Your facilitator will guide discussion around your assigned housing theme by asking key questions to spark dialogue. Use these prompts to share personal or local experiences, identify challenges, and explore the tensions or trade-offs involved.

• Solution brainstorming: Discuss potential policy responses. Consider what might work in different cultural or national contexts. Be creative and open to diverse ideas.

• Consensus building: Work together to find the most inclusive and realistic recommendations. Aim for shared agreement, but it’s okay if some differences remain—acknowledge them respectfully.

• Finalizing proposals: Your group will review and refine the wording of your recommendations to ensure they’re clear, actionable, and ready for submission on DECIDIM.

4. Proposal submission and voting (November 12–19)

• After the live sessions, your group’s proposals will be uploaded to DECIDIM by the group’s facilitator.

• Between November 12 and 19, review all groups’ recommendations and vote for your top five choices.

• You can also comment on proposals to share why you support them or suggest improvements.

5. Closing plenary session (November 20, 15:00–16:00 EEST)

• Join the final live plenary to see the highest-ranked proposals and reflect on what was learned.

• The findings relating to the process and actual recommendations will be presented in the closing session and later published in a public report.

• These findings will also feed into the next MultiPoD events: the Citizens’ Assembly in Vienna and the joint Citizens & Policymakers Assemblies in Athens and Brussels, where decision-makers will engage directly with citizens’ ideas.

Throughout the process, facilitators will guide you, ensure fairness, keep discussions on track, and help translate your ideas into actionable proposals.

Tips for effective deliberation: 

• Engage locally, think globally: Connect your personal or local experience to the broader European picture.

• Be curious: Ask for clarification if something isn’t clear—especially across languages or contexts.

• Take notes: Use the chat or shared whiteboard to capture ideas and examples in real time.

• Collaborate, don’t compete: Focus on shared goals, not winning arguments.

• Keep an open mind: The best ideas often emerge when different perspectives meet.

Your voice matters. 

By participating actively, respecting others, and engaging thoughtfully, you’ll help produce ambitious, practical, and inclusive recommendations for Europe’s housing future.