Category: Citizens’ Jury

Report from Day 2 of the Citizens’ Jury on municipally-owned forests in Voxnadalen

12 December 2024 /

What values should we prioritize in municipally-owned forests, and what forest management methods can best create these values? These are the questions that the Voxnadalen Citizens’ Jury was tasked with addressing. The forests that were discussed in this process are owned by Bollnäs, Ljusdal, and Ovanåker municipalities.

On November 23 2024, the participants of the Voxnadalen Citizens’ Jury gathered for a second time at Hälsingegård Ol-Anders in Alfta, filled with expectations and reflections from the first meeting that took place two weeks earlier. The first meeting focused on ecosystem services and sparked many thoughts, and there was eagerness in the room on day two to continue the discussions.

Människor runt ett bord diskuterar vid andra träffen av medborgarrådet om skogen
Discussion about the forests during the day’s meeting at Hälsingegård Ol-Anders

Forest Management and Administration

The second day focused on the management of the forests. Participants listened to presentations from representatives of all three municipalities, who explained their current forestry practices. There was a lot of interest from the audience and many questions.

These discussions were followed by a overview presentation of different forest management methods. Erik Nyberg from Sveaskog spoke about clear-cut forestry, Annevi Sjöberg from Plockhugget AB described close-to-nature/continuous-cover forestry, Anna Jansson from the County Administrative Board of Gävleborg talked about nature conservation, and Erik Lundh from Bollnäs municipality outlined the municipalities’ planning work, which sometimes includes forest land development.

Deliberations and Conclusions

The participants had a strong interest in the forest as a place for culture and education. They described the forests as an important place for children and young people to experience and learn from. Many highlighted that the forestry industry is important for the regional and national economy, and discussions frequently focused on how this affects other values of the forests, such as biodiversity. The role of forests in replacing fossil-based products and fuels led to reflections on whether reducing consumption should actually be the priority. The forest’s role as a source of healing during difficult times in life was also a recurring theme.

There was a curiosity among the participants about alternative forest management methods (non-clear cut methods), and the presentation on close-to-nature and continuous-cover forestry generated considerable enthusiasm, even though there was some skepticism about the ability of this method to generate financial income.

Post-it lappar på ett stort pappersark med en tabell som deltagarna har använt för att lyfta fram olika aspekter om skogsbruk
Notes on advantages and disadvantages of different forest management methods

Participants also discussed the municipalities’ roles in developing new management methods. Given that the current income from municipal forests is relatively low, it was considered reasonable to experiment with methods that can address multiple forest values appreciated by the residents. Many also expressed the view that more of the timber from municipal forests should be used locally, although some doubted the efficiency of this approach due to the current lack of infrastructure for processing and selling forest products.

At the end of the day, participants presented their main arguments for or against the various management methods and explained their reasoning. Several politicians and officials from the respective municipalities were present to hear the results.

The results of the process are now being compiled and will be presented to all interested parties at Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve’s annual open meeting, which will take place in the spring of 2025.

Inspelningsapparater liggandes på ett bord. Alla samtal spelas in för att analysera processen.
All discussions were recorded and will now be analysed to feed into the research process

Research on the Process

Several LANDPATHS researchers from Stockholm University, Uppsala University, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences observed the process and documented how it functioned in practice.

The researchers are interested in better understanding how this type of local dialogue and deliberative decision-making can support the creation and management of multifunctional landscapes.

Rummet med deltagare som diskuterar vid tre olika bord
In-depth discussions during day two

What is a Citizens’ Jury?

A Citizens’ Jury involves a randomly selected group of citizens who listen to various perspectives, opinions, and expert knowledge on a matter of public interest and then engage in in-depth discussions. This method differs from other forms of citizen engagement, such as citizen dialogues. In a Citizens’ Jury, participants are chosen based on criteria that ensure broad representation of the general public within a small group. The process usually concludes with a collective decision or set of recommendations. These types of processes have been employed in several countries to address complex issues, including sustainable development and climate change.

Report from Day 2 of Nämdö Citizens’ Jury

5 December 2024 /

How do we balance development and conservation in the Nämdö Archipelago? What is the key to increasing the population and creating meeting places for everyone? These questions were discussed during the Citizens’ Jury second and final meeting on 16 November 2024. Over two weekends, 25 citizens with various connections to the Nämdö Archipelago gathered to discuss and prioritise areas for work on the planned biosphere area.

Guiding the work in relation to the planned Biosphere Area

The main task of the Citizens’ Jury was to create a foundation for the non-profit organization Nämdö Green Archipelago (NGA) in their ongoing work to form a biosphere area. The participants represented different resident groups in the Nämdö Archipelago, from year-round residents to seasonal or summer residents.

The first day consisted of presentations that provided several perspectives on sustainable community development. The second day focused on discussions and exchanges between the participants. These discussions covered opportunities, consequences, and ideas based on project proposals taken from NGA’s biosphere feasibility study. The conversations were based on the presentations from day one, along with the members’ own experiences, values, and ideas. During the day, participants shared their reasoning about the risks and opportunities of the projects and how they affected each other. They also highlighted some additional key actions for NGA to prioritize in its continued work to become a biosphere area.

External Observers

On the second day, two observers participated: a local politician and a representative from WWF, both observing and being inspired by the process.

Balancing Conservation and Development

A biosphere area is designed to work with preservation, development, and support efforts for nature and society, as well as to find local solutions to global problems. These themes became guiding principles in the group discussions throughout the day. Conservation was a central issue that many participants addressed. Several shared their personal experiences of a changing ecology in the archipelago, particularly regarding the negative development of fish stocks. Many talked about how fishing once used to be rich and vital, with even younger participants testifying to a marked decline in the last 10-15 years. The problem was widely acknowledged, but opinions were divided on what can be done locally and what must be addressed at higher levels.

There was agreement that there are local opportunities to affect and improve areas like meadows, wetlands, and shallow bays, and that managing the deer population should be a priority. The deer population was seen by many as both a problem and an opportunity, as it could provide a potential source for local production and processing. Small-scale venison processing already takes place, and many saw this as an opportunity to increase production and create an income stream for the multi-skilled residents of the island.

Balancing the development of communities and businesses with nature conservation and environmental preservation was a recurring theme. An increased number of tourists is good for development but also puts pressure on the area’s nature and environment. Therefore, opinions were divided on how much focus should be placed on strengthening the tourism sector. On the other hand, there was unanimous support for the biosphere area working to increase the number of year-round residents, though it was difficult to agree on how this could be achieved.

A major question was, who should settle in the Nämdö Archipelago? Housing prices in the archipelago are very high and exclude many from the housing market. A group that was specifically mentioned was “digital nomads” — people who have created geographic freedom and flexibility through digital tools and live accordingly. However, for people to move in, a functional economy is needed, either through businesses establishing themselves in the archipelago or through remote work and commuting. It is also important to find target groups who could eventually consider registering their residence in the area, ensuring that tax revenue grows with the population.

Creating and strengthening a social meeting place became a central theme in the discussions. This meeting place also needs to be digitally accessible, as information spread through traditional channels often reaches a limited audience. Opinions about how best to organize information and communication varied greatly among participants — some (mostly older) pointed to the need for communication channels like newsletters and websites, while others (younger participants) saw greater opportunities in digital platforms. Finally, regarding travel and accessibility, there was significant interest in improved solutions for carpooling and boat shuttle groups.

A Starting Point for the Future

One of the strongest impressions from the Citizens’ Jury in the Nämdö Archipelago was the power of people, who typically wouldn’t meet, coming together and creating new networks. Almost all of the members signed up for a common list to keep in touch and stay involved in the future. Through the Citizens’ Jury, NGA has reached a wider audience and received input from more diverse groups. These insights and contributions will form a valuable foundation in the work of creating a biosphere area.

The results from the process will be presented and discussed at a meeting in Nämdö early next year. Interested? Look out for more information on Nämdö Green Archipelago – Nämdö Green Archipelago.

Research on the Process

A number of researchers from Stockholm University, Uppsala University, and Södertörn University observed the process and noted how it worked in practice. The researchers are interested in better understanding how this type of local dialogue and participation can support the creation and management of multifunctional landscapes. The Citizens’ Council is part of the LANDPATHS research project, which aims to promote multifunctional landscapes that are both rich in biodiversity and meet the needs of various stakeholders.

Citizens’ Juries in Landscape Planning

Citizens’ Juries involve a randomly selected group of citizens who hear different perspectives, opinions, and expert knowledge on an issue of general interest, and then discuss the issue in depth. This method differs from other forms of citizen engagement, such as citizen dialogues. In a Citizens’ Council, citizens are chosen according to criteria that ensure broad public representation in a small group. The process typically ends with a shared conclusion or recommendations. Citizens’ Councils have been used in several countries to discuss complex issues, including sustainable development and climate change.

For more information, contact Tim Daw.

Citizens’ jury deliberates over the future of municipal forests in Voxnadalen

11 November 2024 /

On November 9th 2024, 22 randomly-selected citizens from the municipalities of Bollnäs, Ljusdal and Ovanåker assembled in Alfta for the first day of the Voxnadalen citizens’ jury about the management of municipally-owned forests. This initiative is a collaboration between the LANDPATHS research programme and Voxnadalen biosphere reserve. Through small-group discussions, informational presentations and a field trip to some forest plots, this diverse group of people learned, shared and discussed perspectives on the different values of forests. 

Participants listening to a presentation at Ol-Anders Gård. Photo: Judith Lundberg-Felten

Lead facilitator Johan Hammarlund from Kairos Future, who designed the process together with Tim Daw and Vera Telemo from the LANDPATHS team, introduced the concept of a citizens’ jury. The process emphasises considered, open and respectful dialogue, and the exchange of perspectives. These aspects were reflected in the first exercise the participants completed: each table of 7-8 people defined their own rules of discussion for the day, such as respectful language, letting people make their point, and turning phones to silent. 

Learning about ecosystem services in the woods

The group then went out together to visit a forest, stopping at two different sites. On the way, Urban Larsson from the Swedish Forest Agency, the first of the day’s knowledge-brokers, introduced the participants to the four groups of ecosystem services that were discussed during the day: provisional, cultural, regulating and supporting services. 

The first stop was a 2.7 hectare key habitat from 1996 that is protected by a nature conservation agreement. The participants made a steep descent to where the clear Långbäcken stream winds calmly through a forest of lichen-covered spruce trees, softly illuminated by the November sun on the day of the excursion. They gathered around Urban Larsson, who asked the participants how they felt in this place. There were expressions of calm, peace and seeing beauty, as well as a forest “as it should be”, with appreciation of the untouched appearance due to both dead and living trees. Urban also asked the participants to mention the different ecosystem services they could see. Examples mentioned by the participants included mushroom and berry provision, a place for hunting, cultural services such as a place to experience calm, and a place of cultural history where water has an important function. The area is also home for several endangered species such as the fungus Phellinidium ferrugineofuscum and freshwater pearl mussels. 

Visit to the key habitat. Photo: Jonathan Mattebo Persson

The second stop of the excursion brought the participants to Gammel-homna, a demonstration site for restoration of water streams and part of the local project Rivers of Life. A short walk through rocky terrain, surrounded by blueberry-covered ground under spruce, pine and birch trees, brought the participants to the border of a small, lively flowing river.

Here, the second knowledge-broker, Helén Berggren, Head of Culture at Bollnäs municipality, introduced the importance of cultural values of the forest and her work in Bollnäs with young people to help them experience and create a relationship with the forest. Helén’s talk was accompanied by the appearance of two teenage girls dressed in white, dancing through the forest and creating a magical ambience around the participants. Some participants opened up to share how they had experienced the forest in their childhood and how they built a relationship to the forest, as well as how raising the topics of local culture and history can be a way to create identities and roots for young people in their local environments.

At Gammel-holmna Helén Berggren talked about cultural activities and how to create opportunities for teenagers to experience the forest. Photo: Johan Hammerlund

Two teenage “forest dancers” from Bollnäs (in white dresses) share their joy of being in the forest. Photo: Tim Daw

From forest products to red-listed species

Back at Ol-Anders Gård, the participants shared a lunch before listening to the other two knowledge sharers of the day. The first was Anders Lundberg from Billerud Korsnäs, who presented a variety of products from the forest such as timber and microcellulose that is used in medical drugs, packaging, soap, hygiene products, fabric, and novel packaging such as paper bottles. Anders also emphasised the economic importance of forest-based production nationally, and especially in Gävleborg. The participants engaged in a lively discussion about Anders’ contributions over the following coffee break. Next, Matthias Ahlstedt from Naturskyddsförening in Dalarna informed the participants about planetary boundaries, the carbon balance in the forest and what the effects of harvesting are on the balance, as well as the rationale behind the red-list for endangered species.

Diverse forest products. Photo: Tim Daw

Creating visions and unlocking new perspectives

Participants ended the day by deliberating about the pros, cons and interest conflicts related to the different values and uses that had been identified throughout the day. Each participant wrote down their own visions for the municipal forests in 15-25 years from now. Collectively, the participants expressed appreciation for the process and the opportunity to talk with people with different backgrounds and experiences. One participant phrased her experience as “unlocking her own thinking” and that she got to open up to new perspectives. Hanna Alfredsson from Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hear voices from a wider variety of people than are usually represented in discussions about the management of the biosphere.

Participants discuss novel forest products with Anders from Billerud Korsnäs. Photo: Tim Daw

Sofie Zetterlund from Bollnäs municipality is keen to hear about the results of the citizens’ jury and hopes that they will inspire new ways of management. During the second day of the process on November 23rd, representatives of forest management in each of the three municipalities, as well as local politicians, are invited to receive the suggestions from the participants about their perspectives on management of the municipal forests to encourage versatile and multifunctional use and values.

Research on citizens’ juries

In the LANDPATHS research programme, Fanny Möckel (Uppsala University) and Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre) are studying the scientific process of citizens’ jury both in Voxnadalen and in Nämdö, through on-site observation, a before-and-after survey, and interviews with the participants. Read all of the news about the LANDPATHS minipublics.

The team that organized, observed and documented the first day of the citizens’ jury in Voxnadalen were delighted with the experience.
First row (left to right): Fanny Möckel, Vera Telemo, Anna Bohman
Second row (left to right): Elias Marin, Judith Lundberg-Felten, Jonathan Mattebo Persson, Johan Hammarlund, Tim Daw
Photo: Fanny Möckel

For more information about the mini publics being organised within LANDPATHS, contact Tim Daw at Stockholm Resilience Centre.

Citizens’ Jury on the Nämdö archipelago Biosphere Reserve underway

29 October 2024 /

On Saturday 19 October, the participants in Nämdöskärgården’s citizens’ council gathered for the first time. The council brought together 25 citizens with different opinions and connections to the Nämdöskärgården. Some were year-round residents while others were part-time or summer residents. After an educational and information-rich first day, the preparations for the next gathering, which will take place on November 16, now begin.

This blog post is an English translation of an article we wrote on the Nämdö Green Archipelago (NGA) website (see the NGA article in Swedish).

The citizens’ jury in the Nämdö archipelago connects with the process of establishing a Biosphere Reserve around Nämdö and its surrounding islands. A collaboration between LANDPATHS and Nämdö Green Archipelago, the citizens’ jury is tasked with generating input on the future development of the archipelago, with a specific focus on which initiatives should be prioritized in the local actors’ continued work to establish the biosphere area.

During the first day, the participants learned more about what a Biosphere Reserve is and listened to different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities the faced in Nämdö. 

Speakers during the first day: 

  • Nämdö Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, Ann Aldeheim, Nämdö Green Archipelago
  • Preserve on land and below the surface, Elin Dahlgren, SLU
  • Community service and development, Anna Gabrielsson, Värmdö municipality
  • Infrastructure and transport, Sune Fogelström
  • Business and tourism, Martin Rosén, Stavsnäs Båttaxi
  • Social meeting places and culture, Kerstin Sonnbäck, Lower Dalälven Biosphere Reserve

After each presentation, the participants had the opportunity to reflect in small groups on the presented perspectives, ask questions and discuss their views and experiences. Afterwards, the participants were encouraged to write a future vision to describe how they imagine the Nämdö archipelago in the coming years. The day ended with shared reflections and impressions from the day, as well as expectations for the future.

With information, experiences and reflections from the first day, the group will gather again on Saturday 16 November. The focus of the second day will be on delving into the different perspectives, and prioritising and analysing the advantages and disadvantages of different efforts. 

The result of the citizens’ jury will form the basis for Nämdö Green Archipelago’s continued work to establish a biosphere area in the landscape.

A big thank you to all participants for your time and commitment!

More information about the citizen jury method

In a citizens’ jury, citizens are selected according to criteria that ensure a broad representation of the public in a small group. Over several days, the participants hear different perspectives, opinions and expert knowledge, and then get to discuss the issue in depth. The process usually ends with a joint conclusion or recommendations. Citizens are compensated for their participation in this process.

For more information about the citizens’ juries taking place within LANDPATHS, contact Tim Daw (leader of the Barriers and opportunities for change project).

Community representatives are being recruited to take part in a Citizens’ Jury on forests

3 September 2024 /

LANDPATHS sub-projects on Citizen dialogue and Forest Landscapes are now in the process of recruiting local citizens in the municipalities of Ovanåker, Ljusdal, and Bollnäs to discuss forest-related issues in a Citizens’ Jury. Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre) spoke more about the Jury during the Förmiddagen i P4 Gävleborg radio show on September 2, 2024.

View over Voxnadalen
View from Växbo in Bollnäs municipality. Photo: Max Whitman.

The Citizens’ Jury aims to provide local people with an opportunity to discuss how municipal forests should be used. According to Tim, Citizens’ Juries provide a great tool for tackling complex issues like the polarized debate over forest use. The use of the forest for production, recreation, and the preservation of biodiversity are often seen as conflicting priorities.

Participants in a Citizens’ Jury are randomly selected and receive an invitation letter with instructions for how to sign up to the process. No prior knowledge is required, as experts will be present to give brief presentations. In addition, participating citizens are encouraged to contribute their local knowledge and values to the process. Those taking part will have plenty of time for discussion and the goal is to provide a platform that allows for a deeper discussion than what typically occurs in polarised debate in (social) media. It is the intention that the Citizens’ Jury will offer an opportunity for local people to listen to one another and foster a better understanding of each other’s views and values regarding the forest. Listen to Tim’s interview with Sveriges Radio P4 here.

“Deliberative mini-publics, such as the Citizens’ Jury, are a promising method to discuss wicked and complex challenges in polarized societies, such as the question of forest management in Voxnadalen. In addition, they provide a great tool to listen to and incorporate local knowledge of residents living in the biosphere reserve. We are working together with those managing the Voxnadalen biosphere reserve to assess whether this method can be a valuable tool for incorporating local residents’ knowledge into management plans. This is a rather novel approach, so we are excited to witness what will happen with the Citizens’ Jury in Voxnadalen this autumn.”

FANNY MÖCKEL, DOCTORAL STUDENT IN LANDPATHS

The Citizens’ Jury about forest use will take place over two Saturdays in October and November.

Earlier this year, Tim successfully led a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate, which created an open forum for discussing climate-related issues among community representatives from across Sweden. The process resulted in recommendations that were submitted to political representatives.

For more information, contact Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre) or Fanny Möckel (Uppsala University).

Coming in 2024 – Deliberative mini-public in Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve

2 February 2024 /

In autumn 2024, LANDPATHS will collaborate with the Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve to test a new method for involving citizens in research on multifunctional landscapes. Fanny Möckel, doctoral student at Uppsala University and a researcher in the sub-project Barriers and Opportunities for Change, tells us a little more about the planned ‘Deliberative mini-public’.

What would a multifunctional landscape in Voxnadalen look like in the future? Based on the conversations about this question at the LANDPATHS stakeholder workshop series, the next step is discussing the priorities in the biosphere reserve with citizens. This process will be led by myself and Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre), in collaboration with the Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve.

Citizen engagement in sustainable planning

There are many ways to engage citizens, but LANDPATHS wants to try a new method. We will use a deliberative mini-public, which involves a randomly selected group of citizens taking part in moderated discussions in small groups on a topic of common interest. This method differs from other forms of citizen engagement, enabling participants to deliberate on ideas and proposals in more depth. There are several different formats, such as a citizen panel or a citizen jury, which have been used in several countries to discuss complex issues, including sustainable development and climate change.

Group of people

In a deliberative mini-public, citizens are selected according to criteria that ensure a broad representation of the public in a small group. Over 2-3 days, citizens hear different perspectives, opinions, and expert knowledge, and then discuss the issue in depth. The process usually concludes with a common conclusion or recommendations. Citizens are compensated financially for their participation in the process.

How should the biosphere reserve develop?

Key aspects of this process are that citizens discuss a topic that affects and concerns them, and that the outcome has the potential to influence decision-making and action related to the issue. The deliberative mini-public in Voxnadalen will focus on the future development of the biosphere reserve.

The Voxnadalen biosphere reserve coordination team has committed to integrating the results of the mini-public into the forthcoming development plan for the reserve.

Planning for the deliberative mini-public is now underway – keep an eye on the blog for more updates, or contact Fanny for more information.

Bird in a tree

The UNESCO Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve spans an area of 342,00 ha in Hälsingland and Dalarna. Read more at voxnadalen.org. This article is a summary of ‘Medborgarberedning i Biosfärområde Voxnadalen’, written by Fanny Möckel in the magazine ‘Det händer I Biosfärområde Voxnadalen – Information om Biosfärområde Voxnadalen 2023’, p.15.

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