The Wiener Klima Mosaik
A playful approach to learning in deliberative processes
Playful approaches to learning in deliberative processes offer powerful benefits. They enable citizens to explore situations from different perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding beyond their usual viewpoints. These methods create a safe space where emotions and feelings can be expressed, enriching the conversation. By encouraging self-discovery and experiential learning, playful techniques move beyond purely rational thinking, allowing participants to engage more holistically with the issues at hand. The Wiener Klima Mosaik exemplifies this approach, providing a dynamic, game-based tool to help citizens better understand the complexities of climate change.
Context
In 2022, we supported the City of Vienna to design a deliberative citizens’ jury as the decision-making body for the Wiener Klima Team – an innovative Participatory Budget focused on Climate Action. Unlike many other Participatory Budgets, where the decision of which project to fund is made through online voting, Vienna chose a deliberative citizens to ensure that the selected projects are the best for both climate action and social justice. The budget available for the citizens to decide upon is significant, varying by district population, with some districts having up to €2 million available. This substantial sum allows for impactful climate projects.
A key competence that jury members must develop is understanding the causes and effects of climate change, as well as distinguishing between adaptation and mitigation projects. To support jury members in this, Democratic Society, in collaboration with City Games Vienna and Katharina Haas, developed the Wiener Klima Mosaik.
What it is
The Wiener Klima Mosaik is a knowledge-based game designed to help participants grasp the complex relationships between the causes and effects of climate change in Vienna. It enables people from various backgrounds to understand how climate change affects urban life, including aspects like social justice, health, and city infrastructure. The game provides a structured yet engaging way to explore the systemic goals outlined in Vienna’s climate roadmap.
How it works
The game consists of 38 cards divided into three thematic blocks: causes, climate change, and effects. The cards are distributed in smaller sets (4-5 cards at a time), and the players’ task is to arrange them in a sequence of causes and effects, using arrows to highlight how the cards are related. Once all the cards are laid out, they create a visual representation of the progression from climate change causes (such as housing, mobility, and fossil fuel use) to its impacts (like ecosystem imbalances and energy insecurity) in Vienna’s local context.
After arranging the cards, the group personalizes the game by giving it a name and embellishing it with creative elements and colorful pens. This stage allows participants to express their emotions and reactions through art and creativity, bringing a personal touch to what they’ve just learned.
The final step focuses on solutions: participants simulate a jury moment where they are given three project ideas and must collectively decide which project should be implemented. Using the canvas they’ve created, players explore which solutions address the causes (mitigation) and which target the effects (adaptation). This exercise deepens their understanding of how different actions can address various aspects of climate change.
The Wiener Klima Mosaik is designed for 3-8 players, takes approximately 90 minutes to complete, and requires a moderator to guide the discussion and learning. This structure enables participants to gain a richer understanding of how climate change unfolds within an urban context.
How it can be used
The Wiener Klima Mosaik is a versatile educational tool that can be used in various contexts. It is intended for ongoing use within the city administration, as part of training programs to encourage cross-departmental collaboration on climate issues. Its flexible, modular design makes it suitable for different educational purposes, including workshops for schools and community groups.The idea from the Wiener Klima Mosaik builds on the Fresque da Vile and is inspired by Climate Fresk.
Read more about the Wiener Klima Team here.