These four practice-oriented, ready-to-use tools, distilled from the 12 pilot actions, are designed to enhance the civic engagement of vulnerable groups. Each tool supports co-planning between public authorities and third-sector organisations and is designed for immediate implementation.

• Top-Down Participatory Toolkit: how public administrations can promote and run inclusive participatory processes.
• Top-Down Deliberative Toolkit: how public administrations can design and deliver inclusive deliberative processes.
• Bottom-Up Participatory Toolkit: how public administrations can collaborate with CSOs to support community-driven participatory processes.
• Bottom-Up Deliberative Toolkit: how public administrations can support CSO-led deliberative processes and link them to decision-making.

Together, these tools provide:

• Inclusive participation pathways to overcome barriers
• Capacity-building to improve civic literacy and confidence
• Collaboration frameworks for joint policy design
• Continuous feedback mechanisms to keep initiatives responsive and adaptive

The GEtCoheSive partnership developed a Transnational Strategy and Transnational Action Plan (TAP) to support the long-term implementation of participatory governance involving vulnerable groups and third-sector organisations.

Building on lessons learned from the pilot actions, the strategy addresses common challenges across participating regions, including limited accessibility, weak inclusion of underrepresented groups, short-term participation processes and insufficient integration of participation into formal governance structures.

The strategy focuses on four key priorities:

• Multilingual and inclusive communication

• Co-design and stronger cooperation with civil society organisations

• Recurring and sustainable participation processes

• Embedding participation within formal governance and policymaking structures

Together, the Strategy and TAP provide:

• A shared framework for strengthening participatory governance across Central Europe

• Cross-border exchange of knowledge and good practices

• Joint training and capacity-building activities

• Shared evaluation and monitoring tools

• Long-term cooperation through a transnational knowledge network

• Concrete actions for policymakers, public authorities, civil society organisations and community stakeholders

Practical value: The TAP translates strategic priorities into actionable measures that help organisations engage vulnerable groups more effectively, strengthen cooperation between institutions and communities, and embed participatory governance into long-term decision-making processes.

Key lesson: Many regions face similar participation challenges. By combining local experiences with transnational learning, the Strategy and TAP provide a practical roadmap for building more inclusive, accessible and sustainable governance systems.

The Transnational Action Plan (TAP) provides a shared framework for strengthening inclusive participatory governance across the GEtCoheSive partner territories.

It connects the project’s transnational vision with the Local Action Plans (LAPs) developed in Emilia-Romagna, Berlin, Vienna and Slovenia. While the LAPs address local needs and institutional contexts, the TAP brings these efforts together into a common model for inclusive governance.

The TAP supports partners in:

• Moving from consultation towards collaborative and co-designed participation
• Aligning local actions with shared transnational goals
• Strengthening cooperation across regions and sectors

The TAP provides:

• A common direction for strategic action across partner territories
• A framework for transnational learning and exchange
• Guidance for embedding participatory practices into governance structures
• A basis for future cooperation, policy development and cross-regional partnerships

Practical value: The TAP helps public authorities, third-sector organisations and other stakeholders coordinate local actions, share methods and strengthen inclusive participation beyond the project lifetime.

Key lesson: Local participation efforts become stronger when they are connected through transnational learning, shared tools and a common commitment to long-term institutional change.

The Transnational Strategy provides a shared vision for strengthening participatory governance across European cities.

Building on lessons learned from the GEtCoheSive pilot actions, it addresses common challenges such as language barriers, limited inclusion of underrepresented groups, short-term participation initiatives and weak integration of participation into formal governance structures.

The strategy focuses on four key priorities:

• Multilingual and inclusive communication

• Co-design and community-based participation

• Sustainable partnerships and funding

• Embedding participation in governance structures

The strategy provides:

• A common framework for strengthening participatory governance across regions

• Knowledge exchange and sharing of good practices

• Joint training and peer-learning opportunities

• Support for long-term institutional change and governance innovation

• Stronger cooperation between public authorities, communities and civil society organisations

A permanent transnational learning and knowledge network supports these efforts through ongoing exchange, collaborative research and resource sharing.

Practical value: The strategy offers guidance for policymakers, public administrations and civil society organisations seeking to make participation more inclusive, accessible and sustainable. It provides a roadmap for moving beyond project-based initiatives towards long-term participatory governance structures.

Key lesson: Many participation challenges are shared across regions. By combining local experience with transnational learning, the strategy helps transform participation from isolated activities into a lasting and institutionalised part of governance.