Table 5 Reviewing the propositions against the results of the multi-case analysis of four Dutch cities

P1

TCN and/or NCN membership positively influences the way(s) municipalities organise citizen participation

There is no indication that membership to trans-national and/or national climate networks influences citizen participation processes. The reason for adhering to a TCN and NCN limits internal implementation of the networks (i.e., to confirm the climate goals against the (inter-)national community)

P2

TCN and/or NCN membership positively influences initiator capacity among cities to enable citizen participation

Membership to TCN and/or NCN does not influence improving initiator capacity to enable citizen participation. However, municipalities were found gaining access to finance and knowledge by participating in other networked arrangements or framework programmes (i.e., NP RES, Interreg 2 Seas, Horizon 2020)

P3

TCN and/or NCN membership positively influences goal setting for citizen participation

A TCN and/or NCN does not directly influence municipalities to setting goals for citizen participation. Citizen participation plans are absent

P4

TCN and/or NCN membership positively influences the involvement of different types of stakeholders in citizen participation

There is no evidence that membership to a TCN or NCN directly influences involvement of (different types of) stakeholders. However, collaboration with stakeholders, such as local governments, housing associations and European partners, is sought by the municipalities to increase governing capacity (mainly funding and knowledge) but is not directly linked to a TCN or NCN strategy

P5

TCN and/or NCN membership positively influences (the right) selection of citizen participation methods

Membership to a TCN or NCN does not influence the selection of participation methods. Dutch municipalities do inform, consult and involve citizens; however, citizen control activities are absent, and local administrations do not know how to implement participation methodically (e.g., with NP RES)

P6

TCN and/or NCN membership positively influences the structure and planning of participation processes in cities

Membership to a TCN and/or NCN only influences the structure and planning of participation processes to a limited extent. Knowledge on the latter was largely absent in the four cases. Citizen participation plans were absent; most work is done on a “trial and error” basis