Public participation

It was a core idea for establishing OGUT to advocate a balance of interests and thus prevent environmental conflicts whilst developing solutions through the involvement of representatives of different stakeholders – environmental associations, public administration and business. Therefore, methods and instruments of public participation, of conflict management and of consensus building are core issues of the field participation. The term “participation” is the umbrella for a large number of activities which aim at further developing participatory models of planning and decision making and at promoting their implementation and acceptance:

• Providing professionally conditioned information about issues, methods and practical examples of public participation;
• Coordinating temporary working groups;
• Coordinating the website www.partizipation.at;
• Carrying out research projects;
• Designing and organising events;
• Awarding the OGUT-environment prize for innovative projects in the field of participation;

The OGUT competence centre for participation furthermore provides detailed knowledge about the topics environmental mediation and strategic environmental assessment (SUP) – two successful instruments of participatory consensus building. Another central aim is to establish a network of participation players – within Austria as well as with a focus on eastern and south-eastern Europe.

Projects

Website Participation and Sustainable Development - www.partizipation.at

The Website “Participation and Sustainable Development” provides information about topics, methods and instruments of public participation. A database of case histories shows the variety of possible fields of application and approaches for public participation processes.

Strategic Group on Participation

This interdisciplinary group of experts – an initiative of the Ministry of Environment – discusses recommendations and measures for the advancement of public participation in public planning and decision-making processes.

Österreichische Gesellschaft
für Umwelt und Technik
Hollandstraße 10/46
A-1020 Wien
Tel +43.1.315 63 93
Fax +43.1.315 63 93-22
E-Mail office@oegut.at

Further Information