‘How can we increase safety on the streets?’ This question will be presented by the Municipality of Eindhoven to the first citizens assembly after the summer. During several meetings, eighty residents will discuss the topic together and then provide advice to the city council. The council approved the proposal for the citizens assembly on the theme of safety on March 10.

In the coming period, the municipality will start preparing this new form of citizen participation, so that the citizens assembly can start after the holiday period.

Janneke van Kessel acts as the citys envoy for new forms of citizen participation in Eindhoven. “I am glad we are now starting with the citizens assembly and thus truly giving our residents influence on policy. Instead of just thinking along, residents themselves make plans and provide advice. When it comes to street safety, our residents know best what is going on. I expect we will gather new, surprising, and relevant ideas from society. As a municipality, we are taking a big step in participation and direct democracy.”

Safety as a foundation
Eindhoven will experience strong growth in the coming years. Safety is a foundation for a pleasant and livable city. Therefore, it is important at this time to think about safety in the city. What exactly that means for residents and which aspects of safety they find important will be central during the first two meetings of the citizens assembly. The citizens assembly itself will decide on which aspects of safety to focus. The municipality will provide some preconditions, such as the legal and practical feasibility of the advice.

Random selection of residents
To form a group of eighty residents for the citizens assembly, 15,000 Eindhoven residents will be randomly selected. These residents will receive a personal invitation for the citizens assembly. Then a second selection will be made among those who have registered. The municipality takes into account characteristics such as age, education, and district so that the group forms a good reflection of Eindhovens population. Participants will receive a (cost) allowance for their participation.

Weighty advice
During six meetings, participants will engage in discussions. This happens in several steps: getting acquainted with the topic and discussing values, conversations with experts, and formulating advice. An external process facilitator will organize and guide the meetings.  

At the end of the last meeting, the citizens assembly will hand over the final advice to the board and city council. The executive board will then make a proposal for implementing this advice. The city council treats it as weighty advice and will make a decision.