On 3 December, Monika Mačiulienė from VILNIUS TECH took part in an ideas workshop hosted at the Office of the Government of Lithuania. The session, titled “What actions could help further involve citizens and the organizations representing them in shaping and implementing climate and environmental policy?”, was part of the wider preparation of the 2026-2027 Open Government Action Plan.
Workshop Overview
The workshop gathered a diverse group of participants from public administration, civil society and academic institutions. Firstly, organisers outlined why this discussion was convened and how citizen engagement is positioned within the Open Government framework. They introduced the purpose of the Action Plan, which aims to strengthen participation, openness and accountability in public governance, and explained why climate and environmental policy have become one of the central areas requiring deeper involvement from society.
Consequently, participants reflected on the current state of engagement in Lithuania. The conversation touched on institutional practices, expectations from communities, and challenges that hinder broader participation. This created a shared understanding of where gaps remain and what cultural or structural shifts are necessary to make engagement more effective.
CLIMAS at the Workshop
Representing VILNIUS TECH and the CLIMAS Team, Monika contributed with insights from CLIMAS experience on citizen participation in climate action. She emphasised the need for continuous and well-designed engagement processes rather than isolated consultation moments. Moreover, Monika showed how CLIMAS tools help institutions identify participation barriers, support constructive dialogue and design engagement pathways that enable people to understand the implications of climate decisions and see how their contributions influence outcomes.
Workshop outcomes
During the collaborative part of the workshop participants explored potential actions that both public authorities and civil society organisations could take to encourage broader involvement. The exchange demonstrated a shared wish to create more accessible and inclusive formats, improve communication about decision-making, and strengthen feedback mechanisms so communities can clearly see how their input is used. Monika’s contribution highlighted how CLIMAS knowledge can be applied in national policy contexts. Her intervention strengthened the workshop’s focus on evidence-informed participation and on engagement models that build trust between institutions and citizens.
What’s next for Lithuanian Climate Governance
Insights generated during the session will be considered by the Open Government Working Group as it shapes the 2026-2027 Action Plan. The workshop showed that climate policy remains an area where openness and participation are essential, and that CLIMAS continues to offer relevant expertise for designing more responsive and socially anchored climate governance in Lithuania.
