Introduction

Ever since the turn of the millennium, countries all over Europe are increasingly witnessing situations in which citizens are demanding a more direct form of democracy, ranging from a cry for more information, to being involved in actual decision-making procedures, or simply taking the autonomy to self-organize. At the same time, governments of these countries are gradually putting citizen participation at the centre of their policy objectives, striving for more transparency, the co-production of public projects, or the empowerment of communities to self-organize and take up part of the decision power. In short, there is a loud and clear call for participation, voiced by both citizens and policymakers.