WP3 looked at citizen actions generating responses outside the structures created by social services, thus complementing WP2’s focus on feedback and participation processes organised by social services. Co-led by the CAL community activist organisation, the work package brought together expertise from social movement studies, media studies, and sociology. It studied citizen-led activities that raised awareness and challenged social services in the public sphere, including media campaigns, advocacy work, petitions, protests, and cultural and artistic production related to mental health, disability rights, child protection, and youth at risk of exclusion.

It analysed the messages produced, the processes through which this knowledge was generated, experiences of liaising with decision-makers, and views about desired and actual impact on social services. Digital processes formed an integral part of the work package, particularly online petitions and social media campaigns. WP3 also investigated the possible overlap when individuals or citizen organisations took part in both official structures and wider campaign and protest activities, seeking to understand synergies between these forms of participation.

Alongside a research report outlining innovative practices and recommendations for civil society actions, WP3 produced a practical deliverable in the form of an interactive digital map of citizen-led actions as case studies, which was open for additional submissions by citizens across Europe.