Living with the major crises of our time requires the ability to act for the individual, and at the same time, it is only together with others that green sustainable change can succeed. That’s why We Do Democracy co-founded the local transition project RENTEN Transition Nordvest, which brings neighbors together in a local community of action, connects the Rentemesterkvarteret and creates more care, greening and sharing economy in the local area.
Inspired by the Transition movement that started in the UK, We Do Democracy has joined forces with Democracy Garage and a number of other local actors in Rentemesterkvarteret, including Utterslev Moses Venner local housing associations AB Mønten and Emaljehaven, Iværksætterakademiet for children and youth, 3F Copenhagen and Botilbuddet Rentemestervej, to take responsibility for our local area. Our vision with RENTEN is a Northwest within the planetary boundaries while ensuring well-being in the area, strengthening local democracy and communities across the neighborhood. The Transition movement has grown strongly since 2005. The movement is based on communities working towards a socially just future with lower carbon emissions, resilient communities, more active participation in society and a caring culture focused on supporting each other. With RENTEN Transition Northwest, we bring together local actors and volunteers in a community of action that gives ownership of the local transition and the opportunity to take action on the crises of our time. To strengthen our local democracy and gather around difficult local decisions, such as conflicting interests in how neighborhood land should be used, it is crucial to gather in communities. By using participatory methods to imagine and agree on the changes we need to make, such as lowering traffic in the neighborhood, relocating food systems and creating communities and green spaces, we can create a more resilient and inclusive neighborhood transformation. We are very excited to be part of creating local change in the neighborhood where We Do Democracy is located and to take responsibility for our community. We learn a lot from the many local forces that are already making a strong effort for the neighborhood and learn how to organize a community of action that is rooted in many different people in the neighborhood. Do you want to join the project, have other ideas on how we can continue working on local, inclusive transformation in the Northwest or who we should be in contact with? Write to project coordinator Louisa Mathies at louisa@wedodemocracy.dk
Where is the project now?
We have been working with RENTEN for over a year now and especially since the spring, the project has gained momentum, where we received support from the Nordea Foundation to green the Rentemesterkvarteret and strengthen biodiversity together with those who live, work and use the neighborhood on a daily basis. We have experienced a very positive response from neighbors and actors in the area and experienced broad engagement at the various events, see the mention from Botilbuddet here. In addition to the plant service project, we are currently working with local stakeholders and volunteers to establish a temporary playground and a green space on Møntmestervej and work with traffic calming.
The next time we meet is:
- January 8, 16-17 – Open meeting on RENTEN
- January 8, 19-20 – Film screening of ‘In Transition 2.0’ – examples from communities creating change
- 22 January – Workshop on urban biodiversity and the City of Copenhagen’s biodiversity pool
- February 5, 16-17 – Open meeting on RENTEN
- February 19, 16-19 – Planting workshop and communal dining
Contact Zakia Elvang or Louisa Mathies to learn more about the project.
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