In a citizen jury individuals selected at random (not as representatives of organizations) draw up a “citizens’ assessment“ of a particular issue, based on their own experience and knowledge. The participants make their recommendations and assessments from the point of view of the common weal; on the jury they do not represent any special interests. Experts provide assistance with specialized aspects. For the duration of the planning process the participants are released from their everyday obligations: they are compensated for loss of earnings, and temporary help is arranged to look after children and care for infirm relatives.
Suitable
for local and regional planning assignments, developing overall strategies
where it is important that representatives of as many segments of the population as possible should take part on an equal footing
where stakeholders’ practical knowledge and specialists’ expertise need to be combined
Sequence of events
Individual citizens are selected at random
All participants are informed in detail about the project in question, and have opportunities to talk with stakeholders, experts, the authorities etc.; there may be a tour of the project site
The participants work through the various aspects of the project in small groups of constantly changing composition
The findings are summarized in a citizens’ assessment, which is passed to the initiators
Participants
Citizens selected at random, experts
Point to note
Experts frequently express doubts as to whether non-specialists are sufficiently knowledgeable to draw up a formal assessment. However, experience shows that ordinary citizens’ practical knowledge is an excellent starting-point, and that they soon familiarize themselves with the subject-matter – provided that all the relevant information is available in a suitably digestible form.
Level of involvement: Joint decision
Time required overall: A few days to several weeks
Number of participants: This method is suitable for groups of 25 to 250 persons
"For once, public-spirited citizens were able to provide a creative impulse in the shaping of the place where they live – a successful switch from “moaning away in the background” to having an active say."
Peter Schmidl, a citizen juror, on the process for Obere Neutorgasse, Graz