This paper explores the potential of the World Café approach to induce a transformation in individual preferences and to facilitate democratic dialogue and action on climate change at the micro-level. In an era marked by widespread skepticism toward institutions on local, national, supranational levels, the implementation of deliberative and participatory models of democracy has emerged as a promising response to address pressing global issues, including climate change and local environmental concerns. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the significance of deliberative policy-making processes in formulating adaptive strategies, emphasizing the role of local communities in combatting the climate crisis. In particular, this research assesses the capacity of a World Café initiative, conducted in four local communities across Emilia-Romagna and Calabria regions, to stimulate shifts in individual preferences and foster a green consensus among participants. A total of 58 individuals participated in these quasi-experiments. Using an action-research method characterized by features of the qualitative research, our study explores the following three key themes of discussion: 1. Separate Waste Collection; 2. Green Urban Areas; 3. Renewable Energy. The results provide insights into the current state of citizens’ participation in grassroots environmental issues at a micro-level and offer innovative solutions that emerged from the dialogues, which stakeholders may consider for implementation. Each World Café session empowered participants to establish networks, fostering collective intelligence. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of local communities in shaping environmentally sustainable policies and actions, aligning with the goals of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 7, 11, 12, and 13, by promoting community engagement and consensus building for a sustainable future.
Lavorata, U. (2025). Fostering Green Consensus: A World Café Approach to Participatory Democracy and Climate Action in Local Communities. Cham (Switzerland) : Springer.
Fostering Green Consensus: A World Café Approach to Participatory Democracy and Climate Action in Local Communities
Umberto Lavorata
2025
Abstract
This paper explores the potential of the World Café approach to induce a transformation in individual preferences and to facilitate democratic dialogue and action on climate change at the micro-level. In an era marked by widespread skepticism toward institutions on local, national, supranational levels, the implementation of deliberative and participatory models of democracy has emerged as a promising response to address pressing global issues, including climate change and local environmental concerns. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the significance of deliberative policy-making processes in formulating adaptive strategies, emphasizing the role of local communities in combatting the climate crisis. In particular, this research assesses the capacity of a World Café initiative, conducted in four local communities across Emilia-Romagna and Calabria regions, to stimulate shifts in individual preferences and foster a green consensus among participants. A total of 58 individuals participated in these quasi-experiments. Using an action-research method characterized by features of the qualitative research, our study explores the following three key themes of discussion: 1. Separate Waste Collection; 2. Green Urban Areas; 3. Renewable Energy. The results provide insights into the current state of citizens’ participation in grassroots environmental issues at a micro-level and offer innovative solutions that emerged from the dialogues, which stakeholders may consider for implementation. Each World Café session empowered participants to establish networks, fostering collective intelligence. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of local communities in shaping environmentally sustainable policies and actions, aligning with the goals of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 7, 11, 12, and 13, by promoting community engagement and consensus building for a sustainable future.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
