Cross-border · Research, innovation and assessment · Germany
Bochum study finds citizen-aimed participation in bioeconomy strategies rarely documented
A study co-authored at Ruhr University Bochum reviewed past bioeconomy strategy processes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the EU and found that documented participation aimed explicitly at citizens is rare.
Why it matters: For those developing bioeconomy strategies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and at EU level, the study reports that citizen-directed participation has rarely been documented.
Jan-Hendrik Kamlage of Ruhr University Bochum and Dennis Arnold examined what matters for citizen participation in political strategy development, using the bioeconomy as their case.
They analysed how people were able to take part in past development of bioeconomy strategies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and at EU level.
According to the study, participation explicitly directed at citizens has so far been documented only rarely.
The researchers report that organised interest groups, scientific experts and institutional actors have often been in the foreground of these processes.
Editor’s view
Scott James, Research and Innovation Editor
The study concerns those who develop bioeconomy strategies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and at EU level, reporting that participation explicitly aimed at citizens has rarely been documented while organised interests, scientific experts and institutional actors have often been in the foreground.
