Democracy at Stake

Pilot project on sustainability challenges and co-creation in Pedersker - supported by the Velux Foundation

Can a small local community of about 200 citizens join forces with the local grocery store, utility companies, and the theatre to drive the green transition? Like many other small communities, Pedersker has been affected by the fact that the historical, democratic associations that used to lead the town's development are either disappearing or becoming centralized. As a citizen, it is easy to feel sidelined, which leads to declining engagement in local development. But does it have to be this way when it comes to the green transition?

The project Demokratiet er på spil (Democracy at Stake), led by Bornholms Teater, focuses on these very democratic communities and co-creation in relation to sustainability challenges and the green transition. Together with BOFA and BEOF, the citizens of Pedersker will aim to find solutions to issues such as food waste and appropriate forms of renewable energy. Bornholms Teater is responsible for workshops on communication, and CRT contributes research-based knowledge on local communities, place, democratic participation, and the green transition.

The point is that

• the local community's citizens are the focal point of the green transition
• Bornholm-based development expertise from utilities, communication, and research facilitates and anchors the green transition
• The project utilizes the tools of the performing arts, including game-based experience design, forum theatre, and co-creative theatre as a democratic laboratory

The interdisciplinary team evaluates and collects experiences from the process to share the methodology nationwide, and the project's findings will be disseminated through relevant networks and projects. Results and impacts will also be communicated locally on Bornholm, including at the People's Meeting (Folkemødet).

The evaluation and experiences from the project collaboration are also used as a springboard for new initiatives and strengthened local cooperation. The development and transition of the Pedersker community will be monitored by the utility companies in particular moving forward. Bornholms Teater is pursuing further projects across the island, using Pedersker as a case study and starting point for further developing methods for research-based, locally anchored performing arts that incorporate elements of citizen engagement and co-creation.