D4.3 Overview report on STK engagement activities in pilots

Work Package 4, led by Prospex Institute, aims to implement tailor-made participatory processes for all levels of engagement, for example, internal, local and European, with the aim of facilitating VARCITIES co-design solutions, keeping in mind the digital nature of some of the VARCITIES products.

Specifically, within WP4, Task 4.3 supported pilot in organising tailored local engagement activities (such as workshops, focus groups, surveys, and citizen science) to co-design and implement the Visionary Solutions. Activities were adapted to each pilot’s cultural and social context, aligned with the overarching engagement strategy (T4.2), and comply with GDPR.

Key messages

  • In VARCITIES , the co-creation process shaped better outcomes. By involving citizens and stakeholders from the beginning to the end of the project, the pilots created more relevant, inclusive, and trusted Visionary Solutions.

  • Co-creation showed how collaboration builds transparency, inclusivity, and shared ownership, offering a model for more democratic urban development and a stronger partnership with the citizens for future projects

  • Long-term projects must carefully manage stakeholder fatigue, adapt engagement approaches to different groups and project phases, and provide adequate resources to support the co-creation process.

Executive Summary

VARCITIES placed co-creation at the core of its Visionary Solutions, engaging stakeholders across seven European pilot cities to shape healthier, more inclusive urban environments. Through structured multi-stakeholder workshops aligned with each phase—co-identification, co-design, co-implementation, and co-evaluation—pilots implemented a flexible, context-sensitive approach to citizen engagement. These efforts were complemented by diverse local activities and informal outreach, strengthening ownership and trust.

The deliverable highlights how this collaborative model challenged conventional urban planning by fostering inclusive participation, transparent communication, and sensitivity to social diversity. Despite the complexity of sustained engagement, the co-creation process proved transformative for both cities and communities. Pilots report lasting commitment to these participatory methods, positioning co-creation as a cornerstone of future urban development strategies.

This deliverable is not approved yet, as such the full deliverable is not available to the public.