Presidency Department Highlights Citizen Participation as Driver of Innovation and Territorial Development at the 3rd CITER Forum in Fuerteventura

The Presidency, Public Administrations, Justice and Security Department of the Government of the Canary Islands, led by Nieves Lady Barreto, placed citizen participation at the core of its strategy to transform territories and improve the effectiveness of public policies. This emphasis was underscored during the celebration of the III CITER Forum, which took place in Fuerteventura and brought together experts, institutions and administrations to discuss new models of collaboration and governance.

The event was organized by the General Directorate of Transparency and Citizen Participation, with the support of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, and became a dialogue space that promotes societal involvement in decision‑making processes.

A Forum to Build Closer Public Policies

During the opening ceremony, the General Director of Transparency and Citizen Participation, Carmen Delia Alberto, highlighted that the CITER Forum “is a space where citizens, community projects and institutions dialogue to build a more open, useful and close participation.”

“It is a space where citizens, community projects and institutions dialogue to build a more open, useful and close participation.”

Alberto added that the goal is to move toward institutional models that better accompany everyday life on the islands.

The councilor for Social Action, Diversity, LGTBIQ+, Citizen Participation and Open Government of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Víctor Modesto Alonso, welcomed the edition being held on the island and stressed the importance of sharing successful experiences across territories:

“What we aim to do is transfer initiatives that already work on other islands and that could also be useful for Fuerteventura.”

Dialogue Tables, Innovative Experiences and a Participatory Workshop

The third edition of the CITER Forum adopted a dynamic format that combined analysis tables, presentations of local and island‑wide experiences, and a practical workshop to identify challenges and proposals.

The day opened with a presentation by the director‑manager of the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve, Antonio Gallardo, and Verónica Estupiñán Fariña, who introduced the community project “Flavors and Knowledge of Betancuria.”

Next, the dialogue table “How to Move from Community Participation to Institutional Participation?” featured Justo Miranda (General Foundation of the University of La Laguna, within the Canarias Convive program) and political analyst Christian Griot (Political Watch).

The program also included the presentation of the Fuerteventura Island Plan for Childhood and Adolescence, delivered by Silveria Marrero (School of Collectives of Santa Lucía de Tirajana) and Jenifer Perdigón (Childhood and Equality Technician).

The day concluded with the workshop “Tools for the Transition to Open and Inclusive Institutional Participation: Challenges and Opportunities in Contemporary Democracy,” led by Christian Griot, who offered practical keys to bring citizens closer to public decision‑making spaces.

A Living Laboratory of Social Innovation for the Canary Islands

With this forum, the Government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo of Fuerteventura reinforce their commitment to a more participatory, transparent and approachable democratic culture. The meeting solidifies its role as a living laboratory of social innovation, fostering shared learning, inter‑territorial cooperation and the creation of new participation strategies that address today’s challenges.

The CITER Forum once again positions itself as a key platform for strengthening networks, promoting community projects and advancing toward a more open and collaborative administration.