With just over a year remaining in its three-year journey, the DUST Consortium recently gathered in Katowice, Poland, for two jam-packed days of collaboration and reflection. Bringing together project partners, community leaders and local experts, the meeting was an important moment for DUST as the project enters its final phase. Over the course of the meeting, participants reviewed key achievements, discussed the next steps, and focused on how to finalise our work in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and democratic transition across Europe, with citizen participation at its core!
The meeting was filled with impactful moments, with highlights including:
Better understanding the challenges and opportunities for Silesia
Adam Drobniak’s Adam Drobniak’s presentation offered invaluable insights into the complex challenges facing Silesia. Once heavily reliant on mining, the region is undergoing a profound economic shift, grappling with issues like employment, cultural preservation, and local identity—challenges that resonate in many of the DUST case-study regions. The discussions, which involved panellists from local governments, mining bodies, and civil society, highlighted a crucial point: for Silesia’s transition to succeed, decentralised governance is key. Empowering local communities and respecting regional identities are not just important—they are essential for ensuring the changes feel relevant and meaningful to the people of Silesia. By embracing the unique needs and values of each community, DUST is working to create a participatory framework that promises a lasting, positive impact as the project nears its conclusion.
We also had the chance to explore the Zimbardo Centre/Local Initiative Fabrick in Katowice’s historic Nikiszowiec District—once a thriving “garden-city” mining community, now a symbol of transformation. In the 1990s, after the mines closed, the area faced severe economic and social struggles. Yet, in the early 2000s, something remarkable happened: the local community came together to breathe new life into Nikiszowiec, sparking a grassroots movement that continues to thrive today. Walking through the district, we were guided by Zdzisław Majerczyk, a former miner, whose deeply personal insights into Nikiszowiec’s history brought the community’s journey to life. His stories reminded us that the power to shape the future lies in the hands of the people who have lived through the past—and that is the heart of what makes these transitions so meaningful.
Regional Futures Literacy Labs (RFLLs) and digital engagement
Key sessions centred around the Regional Futures Literacy Labs (RFLLs) in Norrbotten, Sweden, where the goal is to empower participants to reimagine their futures. In Norrbotten, this meant exploring vital topics like healthcare, technology, and demographic shifts. Survey results show overwhelming trust in the process, with participants eager to keep shaping policy discussions. Leneisja Jungsberg and Myriam Chilvers Nordregio, who co-facilitated two labs in October with Hela Ska Leva Norrbotten, shared valuable insights to support other partners launch their own RFLLs.
The visions and aspirations generated in these labs—capturing participants' hopes, dreams, and expectations—will be transformed into compelling images, maps, posters, and other visualizations by the project’s art directors, OOZE Architects and Urbanists. Additionally, DUST introduced Pol.is, a powerful digital tool for gathering large-scale feedback that helps communities identify common priorities and build consensus. By utilizing this tool, DUST ensures that even the most underrepresented voices are included in the policymaking process, amplifying their influence in shaping the future.
DUST Academy
Adam Drobniak from the University of Economics in Katowice shared exciting updates on the development of the DUST Academy, outlining its foundational goals, scope, and structure. Designed as a key tool for building capacity, the Academy will empower citizens to engage in policymaking, both throughout the project and beyond. By involving policymakers, local governments, and civil society organisations, it aims to create lasting opportunities for inclusive and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.
Strengthening community voices
Verena Balz from TU Delft presented DUST’s research on amplifying the voices of "least engaged communities" (LECs) in the transition. As the project nears its final year, the focus is on ensuring these communities, often excluded from policymaking, are not only involved but empowered to lead in shaping their futures.
Meanwhile, Martin Ferry and Neli Georgieva from the University of Strathclyde partners shared insights on the factors influencing community engagement. They highlighted how trust, a sense of control, and the perceived relevance of policies affect participation. Their findings suggest that communities with a history of mistrust toward government initiatives may be hesitant to engage, but can be empowered through transparent and inclusive platforms.
Communication strategies to bridge research with audience
Samir Amin from the ISOCARP Institute provided an update on DUST’s dissemination strategy, which is designed to ensure that the project’s research continues to have an impact. Key initiatives for the final year include:
Digital storytelling and exhibitions to present research findings in engaging, accessible formats.
Policy briefs tailored for specific audiences, making research actionable for policymakers.
Open-access publications to ensure that the knowledge generated by DUST is shared widely.
Building on the latter action, Verena Balz and Artur Ochojski spoke about an open-access book with Springer and a series of high-impact academic papers. These publications aim to make DUST’s insights as accessible as possible, ensuring that the research is shared with communities, policymakers, and academics alike.
The meeting in Katowice marked a significant moment for the DUST Consortium as it enters its final phase. With a clear focus on consolidating its achievements and ensuring lasting sustainability, DUST is poised to leave a powerful legacy of community-driven, democratic transitions. As Paloma Martins, Horizon Europe’s project officer, emphasized, DUST is not alone in this journey. Collaborating with projects like INCITE-DEM, RESPONSIVE, and ORBIS, each working to amplify civic participation from different perspectives, DUST is part of a broader movement for change. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue striving towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and democratic Europe, with community voices at the heart of shaping our collective future.