The team at People’s Voice Media are very excited about the prospect of working with Agora Koln in Cologne again. This project about civic participation is funded by the Cultural Bridge Fund which enables nonprofit organisations from the UK and Germany to connect by sharing knowledge and practice. 

Drawing on case studies from a revitalised neighbourhood public space in Cologne, Germany and a publicly owned community centre in Dalry, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, this project investigates the motivations and challenges experienced by individuals engaged in civic initiatives. By comparing these distinct contexts – urban and rural – the project seeks to identify shared values and generate insights into participation, belonging, and the impact of collective action.

The research will explore the factors motivating civic engagement, strategies for sustaining involvement, and the barriers participants face, with particular attention to interactions with local authorities.

It will give us a fabulous opportunity to continue our research into volunteering and dig deep into why civic participation matters to people.

We’ll use People’s Voice Media’s Community Reporting methods to train participants in how to collect stories from peers in an ethical and non-extractive way and share them digitally. They’ll interview individuals, record audio, take photos, and collaborate with those involved. Through online meetings, participants will share their findings and there will be a chance to meet in person when three delegates from each community will visit one another, tour the sites, and share their thoughts about their own experience of civic participation. During the year, this hybrid and international project will link both communities, amplify their voices, and demonstrate the impact of civic engagement on places and people.

The fund empowers ‘hands across the sea’ partnerships where together nonprofit organisations can co-produce, co-design, share skills, knowledge and practice. We are so excited to get started – watch this space for updates!