DTI brings Democracy Labs methodology to international coastal resilience project

The INCORE-MED (Inclusive Coastal Resilience in the Euro-Med) aims to strengthen climate resilience in Mediterranean coastal regions by promoting nature-based solutions and more inclusive approaches to environmental governance. As part of the project, DTI has led the transfer and mentoring of the Democracy Labs (DLABS) methodology, supporting local partners in adapting and applying the approach in their own contexts.

Originally developed to foster democratic participation and collaborative problem-solving, Democracy Labs bring together citizens, experts, public authorities and other stakeholders to explore complex societal challenges and jointly develop ideas for addressing them. Within INCORE-MED, the methodology has been adapted to support climate change adaptation planning and the development of nature-based solutions in coastal areas facing increasing environmental pressures. The methodology and toolkit are fully available to any interested parties in our website.

The approach was tested through pilot activities in Kaštela, Croatia, and Ria Formosa, Portugal. In both locations, participants took part in a structured process designed to help them reflect on local challenges, share experiences, identify common priorities and co-create ideas for more resilient coastal futures. While the methodology follows a shared framework, each pilot adapted the process to local environmental conditions, governance structures and community needs.

According to Daniel Irabien Peniche, who led the transfer of the methodology within the project: "One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been seeing how our Democracy Labs methodology and toolkit could be adapted and owned by local teams in very different contexts. Our role was not simply to transfer a process, but to support partners in Croatia and Portugal in shaping it around their own communities, challenges and priorities. These experiences demonstrate that participatory approaches can play an important role in helping partners in Croatia and Portugal engage citizens, experts and policymakers in the co-design of climate adaptation solutions."

One of the strengths of the Democracy Labs methodology is its ability to connect scientific expertise, policy perspectives and local knowledge. Rather than focusing solely on technical solutions, the process creates space for participants to jointly define problems, explore opportunities and develop a shared understanding of future challenges.

The completion of the pilot activities marks an important milestone for the project. The consortium is now moving into the data analysis phase, where researchers will examine the insights generated through the Democracy Labs and explore how participatory design approaches can contribute to more effective and inclusive climate adaptation policies.

By supporting the transfer of Democracy Labs to the coastal resilience domain, DTI continues to demonstrate how participatory design and digital innovation methodologies developed through research can help address complex societal and environmental challenges across Europe.