On the second day of the Knowledge Network’s in-person meeting in Hildesheim, participants explored the cross-cutting theme of participation. In a workshop led by Mohammed Jouni, participants discussed different perspectives on how the participation of residents in accommodation facilities can be designed and structurally embedded.
The joint discussion addressed several key questions:
How can residents be meaningfully involved in decision-making processes? What structures enable co-determination? And how can challenges be met that occur when enabling more participation?
Three central insights emerged from the discussion:
- Participation requires transparency on where co-decision is possible.
- Participation strengthens residents’ sense of agency and improves social cohesion within accommodation settings.
- Participatory approaches must be adapted to local contexts and conditions.
In the evening, a guided tour through Hildesheim offered participants the opportunity to learn more about the host municipality and to continue the exchange in a relaxed and informal setting.
