Citizen Expert Panels Toolkit
To develop sustainable solutions in the food system, all stakeholders need to be involved. Citizens are part of the food system, but are rarely heard, let alone actively involved.
The SUCCESS project has been dedicated to driving the transition towards sustainable food consumption and shopping behaviors, shifting the focus beyond individual consumer responsibility. Through a collaborative approach, the project engages both citizens and retailers using three interconnected strategies that aim to:
1) create a positive mindset for and increase knowledge about sustainable consumption,
2) engage ‘imperfect consumers’ to co-create and redesign our food environment along other food system actors,
3) stimulate retailers to make
sustainable choices easier for consumers.
As part of strategy 3, the project enhanced the ongoing “Superlist” initiative — an external research and campaigning project assessing supermarket efforts to simplify sustainable consumption — by incorporating Citizen Expert Panels.
From 2022 to 2024, Rikolto facilitated five Citizen Expert Panels, providing a platform for citizens to voice their opinions and develop actionable recommendations for supermarkets’ roles in advancing a sustainable food system. These panels culminated in the creation of a toolkit in 2024 (available in Dutch), which outlines the methodology and results, enabling others to replicate the approach.
By sharing these insights, the SUCCESS project continues to inspire collective action and systemic change, making sustainable consumption a shared responsibility.
Do you want to get started with citizens yourself?
This toolkit will guide you step by step through the preparation, implementation and aftercare of a citizen panel.
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