Partners meet in Nievre & Lormes
Day One: Citizen Participation and Local Action in Nièvre
The meeting began with a presentation by Thomas Relin of Nièvre Numérique, highlighting the region's digital strategy to strengthen civic participation. An open Q&A session encouraged reflections on how public policy can be shaped by digital tools.
Participants then engaged in a workshop centered on the Citizen Observatory and the participatory commitments of the County Council.
After a shared lunch at l’Orangerie, the group visited Terrain Commun, a community-led initiative funded through the region’s participatory budget. Blandine Delaporte explained the budgeting process, followed by testimonials from project leaders Philippine and Maxim. The day concluded with a convivial dinner and discussion among partners.
Day Two: Partnership, Practice, and Policy in Lormes
The second day took place in the town of Lormes, beginning with a partnership meeting that covered project updates, communication planning, and a preview of the next CIVITEC gathering in Slovenia.
Clive Peckham (Nièvre Numérique) introduced the SEROI digital tools, designed to facilitate inclusive co-design and to assess the social and economic value of civic projects.
In the afternoon, Mayor Christian Paul presented Lormes' approach to participatory democracy and digital inclusion.
This was followed by local case studies, including the Lormes Notebooks initiative and Campus Rural, both demonstrating effective models for rural civic innovation.
A round table brought together European partners and local actors to discuss youth engagement, civic tech, and shared challenges in rural participation. The day ended with a visit to the “Gisèle Face à Face” photo exhibition and a walk through the streets of Lormes, offering time for reflection and connection.
The two-day event reinforced CIVITEC’s commitment to collaborative learning and practical solutions for stronger civic participation across regions.