PRESS RELEASE Reporting – 31 March 2023, Athens. Workshop “Blockchain and the Decentralization of Democracy” WP7 Project D.C.P v2.0
The Institute of Research and Training on European Affairs in the framework of the project Digital Civic Participation – D.C.P v2.0 funded by the Programme Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values of the European Union (CERV-2021-CITIZENS-TOWN) organized on the 31st of March workshop for “Blockchain and the Decentralization of Democracy”.
The workshop featured expert speakers who shared their insights on blockchain, its potential to enhance democracy, and the challenges and opportunities that come with the technology. Participants engaged in a lively and informative discussion, exploring various use cases of blockchain in democracy, from voting to public records and beyond.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the keynote speech by Evgenia Kapassa – PhD candidate and Researcher at the University of Nicosia, who shared her vision of how blockchain could be used to create a more participatory and inclusive democracy. Among other issues during the workshop was mentioned, how Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize our democratic systems, and “It can ensure transparency, reduce the risk of fraud, and enhance voter turnout.”
The workshop also featured practical sessions where participants divided into groups try to identify as youth, local participatory problems at a local level, and how they can be solved through the use of Digital Participation and Blockchain. Overall, the workshop aimed to explore the potential of blockchain technology in promoting democratic processes. We are already planning similar events in the future, aimed at empowering more people to leverage blockchain for social good.
The “DCP v2.0” project also aims to record and analyze digital tools used in EU countries and to establish a user-friendly manual on how and under what circumstances can be used. The purpose of the manual is to be able to be used easily by all, so as to further enlarge its use in the decision-making process at a local level.
The consortium of the project comprises of:
- INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH & TRAINING ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS – I.R.T.E.A. –
Lead partner, Greece - MUNICIPALITY OF CINISELLO BALSAMO – Italy
- MUNICIPALITY OF STARACHOWICE – Poland
- PONT Group – Romania
- MUNICIPALITY OF KLAIPEDA – Lithuania
The project’s activities concern:
• The study and investigation of existing tools and methods of e-participation tools
• The presentation of these tools to all members of the society in practical and understandable examples to all, making them accessible and achievable.
• Training, education and empowerment of both young and municipal officials with digital participatory democracy tools
• Identify and exchange “good practices” in the field of digital participation between European partners
• Enhancing digital participation with the goal of increasing the involvement of citizens with digital tools
During the project, young people from Poland, Italy, Lithuania, Romania and Greece as well as representatives of the Municipalities, will contribute to the above objectives by means of non-formal and formal learning methods and tools in the context of project activities.
More specifically, the actions to be implemented are as follows:
• At local level each partner will collect data on the digital tools used
• A transnational conference will then be held in Greece to exchange and promote good practices, between civil society, young participants, and partners, based on the results of the first part
• Finally, an international Hackathon will take place in Greece, with a key focus on the application of digital tools and methods at a local level.
The project will last 24 months and the target groups are young people 15-30 and municipal employs working in the youth sector, who are interested in being informed and involved in the process of shaping participatory innovative e-democracy tools and innovative for their municipality.
For more information for the project please follow our website and social media!
The report for this event is available here.
