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A participatory process is a sequence of participatory activities (e.g. first filling out a survey, then making proposals, discussing them in face-to-face or virtual meetings, and finally prioritizing them) with the aim of defining and making a decision on a specific topic.
Examples of participatory processes are: a process of electing committee members (where candidatures are first presented, then debated and finally a candidacy is chosen), participatory budgets (where proposals are made, valued economically and voted on with the money available), a strategic planning process, the collaborative drafting of a regulation or norm, the design of an urban space or the production of a public policy plan.
🌍 Local Challenge: Heat, Inequality, and the Right to the City
Sample Open Call for Madrid
About this process
🌀 Sample Open Call
This Open Call is part of a participatory initiative that invites residents, communities, and local organisations in Madrid to propose and co-create solutions that respond to urgent urban challenges — especially those linked to sustainability, inclusion, and public space.
It is grounded in the principles of participatory democracy, where ideas come from the people who live in the city, and decisions are made collectively. Proposals will be submitted by the public and selected through a combination of expert review and citizen voting, ensuring both quality and community relevance.
The Open Call is part of the BAUHAUS4MED project and aligns with the values of the New European Bauhaus:
Sustainability: ecological awareness, climate resilience, and responsible resource use
Inclusion: accessibility, care, and diverse community involvement
Aesthetics: beauty, culture, and emotional connection in everyday life
This process also aims to foster local dialogue, strengthen neighbourhood ties, and highlight the creativity and knowledge already present in Madrid’s communities. A special focus is placed on amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups and those historically excluded from design and decision-making processes.
ℹ️ What kinds of projects can be proposed?
Eligible proposals should be public interest projects that:
Improve or creatively activate public spaces (e.g. street furniture, shading, play areas, community gardens)
Enhance accessibility, inclusion, and the quality of life in a neighbourhood
Experiment with ecological design or sustainable infrastructure
Support local storytelling, care, and cultural expression in shared spaces
Projects must be implementable within a limited budget (up to €5,000) and in line with local technical and legal criteria.
🗓️ Key Phases of the Process
Launch of the Open Call
Proposal Submission
Evaluation by Experts and Public Voting
All phases will be hosted transparently on the participation platform, and everyone is encouraged to follow, share, and participate.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Access the Platform
Create a user account or log in using your existing credentials
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Navigate to the Open Call
The open call is available at this link: https://b4m.space/assemblies/helpdesk/f/24/proposals(Opens in new tab)
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Create Your Proposal
Click “New Proposal”
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Fill in the required fields:
Title (short and clear)
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Proposal Description (max 1000 words)
Alignment with NEB values (select the values your project addresses)
Timeline and implementation plan
Simple bullet point proposal for an estimated budget (up to €5,000)
Upload visuals optional (sketch, collage, rendering, etc.)
Submit and Share
Click “Publish Proposal” to make it visible to the public and eligible for evaluation
Share your proposal with your community—citizen voting opens on 14 June 2025 (voters must create a log in to cast their vote)