REINVENTING PARTICIPATORY DEMOCARCY? Lessons from 25 years of experiments in Ghent Why look to Ghent to rethink participatory democracy? Because this city is a reference point in Europe: progressive governance, 25 years of experience, and international recognition in citizen participation. At the end of 2023 , Ghent set itself a challenge: to draw lessons from 25 years of participatory practices in order to reinvent the future of participation. The goal? An unfiltered review of successes and failures to imagine the next decade: · Better understand those who feel excluded, · Make the impact tangible for everyone, · Define a clear participation contract, · Strengthen a capacity for action among citizens and public services · Map engagement neighborhood by neighborhood, · Etc. The result of a year of collective assessment and experimentation, this publication goes beyond a simple overview: it offers concrete proposals to strengthen participation, on the side of both citizens and institutions. An inspiring book for any city seeking a more inclusive and effective democratic model.