Involve UK invites members of the KNOCA Network to join a small group of experienced researchers, practitioners, and commissioners to help lay the foundations for what could become a landmark Citizens’ Assembly on the future of Lough Neagh.
Context
Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, is facing a deep ecological crisis. Years of private ownership, industrial agriculture, sand extraction, failing public infrastructure, deregulation, and weak environmental governance have severely damaged trust in responsible institutions. Political opposition has also constrained bold action, despite the urgent threats to livelihoods, ecosystems, and human and more-than-human health across Northern Ireland and into the Republic.
In this context, Involve is beginning to lay the groundwork for a Citizens’ Assembly. They have secured funding and broad buy-in to develop a co-designed process that brings together community groups, activists, ENGOs, commercial interests, farmers, academics, and policymakers. Together, this group will make key design decisions on the Assembly’s scope, oversight, membership, geographic range, and evidence submissions.
To inform this process, Involve is convening a small, committed working group to co-develop a comprehensive scoping document. This document will supplement Involve’s practice-based expertise with contextual advice on:
- Commissioning models and connection to decision-making
- Oversight approaches
- Transboundary deliberation
- Integration of more-than-human voices
- Standards in public deliberation, including size, duration, and timescales
Participation
The working group will involve a minimum of two and a maximum of three online sessions, each lasting two hours:
- Tuesday 26 August, 3–5 PM
- Thursday 4 September, 2–4 PM
- Optional: Thursday 11 September, 2–4 PM
Why take part?
Your expertise and insights will support an innovative approach to the design of a Citizens’ Assembly that is credible, impactful, and trusted. You will be part of a focused team creating the conditions for a process that could influence decision-making at one of Northern Ireland’s most significant environmental and cultural sites.
About Involve
Involve is the UK’s leading public participation charity, with over two decades of experience designing and delivering Citizens’ Assemblies and other forms of deliberative democracy. We have led many high-profile Assemblies, including Climate Assembly UK, the Citizens’ Assembly for Scotland, and the People’s Assembly for Nature.
Next steps
If you are interested in participating, please send an indication of interest to LoughNeagh@invole.org.uk by Thursday 21 August. A briefing paper with further information will be shared with you in advance.
We look forward to working with you to create a strong foundation for a Citizens’ Assembly that the communities of Lough Neagh - and the wider public - can trust and value.
