Diverse roles and perceptions of public officials and NGOs in local citizens’ assemblies – A comparative analysis of the cases of Poland and Hungary

Abstract

This article explores the roles and perceptions of public officials and NGOs in climate-related citizens’ assemblies (CAs) organised at the local level in Poland and Hungary. Through in-depth interviews with these actors, we investigate how process design and their involvement shape their views on CAs. In a comparative analysis of two local cases in Poznań and Budapest, we apply Bussu and Fleuß (2023) framework to examine key differences in the initiation, implementation, and impact of these assemblies. Our findings reveal that the degree of involvement in agenda-setting significantly influences actors’ perceptions, with civil society actors expressing more positive views when they are more involved, while public officials tend to view the recommendations with scepticism, particularly when they perceive them as challenges to their authority. This study contributes to understanding the role and potential of deliberative instruments in strengthening local democracy in CEE countries.