Measuring the Impact of Climate Assemblies Through Participant Surveys

Climate assemblies provide a platform for citizens to deliberate and contribute to solutions for pressing environmental issues. Understanding their impact on participants is essential for evaluating their effectiveness and shaping future assemblies. This study presents the findings of surveys conducted among participants of two Climate Assemblies in Riga and Edermunde. The surveys aimed to assess participants’ understanding, engagement, and outcomes of their involvement, while exploring opportunities for improvement. Findings revealed that participants generally felt well-supported by the materials provided and valued satisfactorily the inclusivity of the discussions. However, feedback also highlighted areas for improvement, including ensuring balanced representation of underrepresented groups and optimizing the learning phase for greater clarity and engagement. The survey responses also pointed out that participants found the climate assembly useful in helping them understand and think critically about climate issues, suggesting that climate assemblies can significantly empower citizens to engage critically with environmental challenges. This study’s findings will inform the design and execution of future assemblies, ensuring they remain effective platforms for citizen engagement in addressing climate change.