Launched in October 2024, the “Facing Crises Together” initiative explores the role of Nantes’ residents in responding to crises. A citizen panel of around twenty participants proposed ideas on risk culture, civic involvement, and ways to take action. Their recommendations, submitted in February 2025, will inform commitments expected in June.
France
Citizen Dialogue Initiative Facing Crises Together – Prepare, Act, and Recover: What Roles for the People of Nantes?
Nantes Métropole is an intermunicipal structure that brings together 24 municipalities surrounding the city of Nantes, located in the Loire-Atlantique department (44), in the Pays de la Loire region.
An initiative of NANTES METROPOLE
Overview of the project
Deepening the concept of a “risk culture” and the conditions for citizen involvement during times of crisis.
Ongoing research
01/09/2024 - 30/06/2025 - Projet toujours en cours
The panel worked on the three phases of a crisis – before, during, and after – to develop proposals around seven key challenges. Before the crisis: raising awareness of risks, better equipping residents, and fostering solidarity. During: helping everyone get through the crisis and coordinating mutual aid. After: learning lessons collectively and supporting post-crisis recovery.
Submitted to elected officials on February 5, the citizens’ recommendations are based on six guiding principles to shape a culture of risk in Nantes: equal access to information, putting people first, shifting the collective narrative, local-level mobilization, clear and consistent communication, and strengthening social ties starting now.
Local authority funding
About the
organisation
organisation
Nantes Métropole is an intermunicipal body uniting 24 municipalities around the city of Nantes, in the Loire-Atlantique department (44), Pays de la Loire region. Covering 523 km² with over 650,000 residents, it is one of the main metropolitan areas in western France. Created in 2001, it coordinates shared projects in transport, urban planning, economy, environment, and culture. Since 2008, it has taken action on climate issues and raises public awareness about sustainable behavior.