One of the most worrying phenomena of the current European scene is the growing disenchantment of many ordinary citizens with politics. Political problems are increasingly complex and technical in nature, and the democratic process is perceived as making little difference to their solution, The mass media contribute to this development by superficial reporting which encourages the public to regard politics as a kind of "spectator sport", It has become urgent to find remedies to this erosion of democratic interest,The most effective remedy must be to involve citizens themselves in policy development and decision making on issues which they understand. Such issues are easiest to identify at local level and involvement can most readily be organised within the local community.This guide was designed as an awareness-raising and training tool for local politicians and staff; NGO activists and ordinary citizens, national associations of local authorities and training providers.It explains how democratic systems/institutions can be opened up to promote greater citizen participation in political and administrative processes.
