Updated January 6, 2026
A neighborhood accommodates very different needs: Do the residents want the highest possible quality of life, does the local business community need an attractive shopping area, or does the local energy transition need a coordinated neighborhood? What applies to cities and conurbations also applies to smaller communities.
As diverse as the topics are, the round table was and is a good format for addressing problems and solutions. With the necessary strategy, a long-term concept, and a little creativity, regular meetings can bring about completely new collaborations and initiatives in the neighborhood.
1. Round table: How to choose the right format
Participation is a key success factor today for projects in municipalities, cities, and large infrastructure projects. Engaging the people affected early on creates acceptance, better solutions, and long-term viability.
Two proven instruments for this are the traditional regulars’ table and the digital meet-up. But how do they differ – and which format is the right one for your project?
2. The regulars' table - personal and regular
The regulars’ table is a physical, regular meeting in spatial proximity to the project area. It is open to various stakeholder groups such as residents, businesses, associations, or political representatives. Its character ranges from open to all topics to clearly focused.
Typical characteristics
Personal meeting at a fixed location
Regularity – e.g. monthly or quarterly
Clear time frame and with moderation
Low-threshold access for all relevant stakeholders
The characteristics of a round table are a powerful instrument for the development of neighborhoods, if a round table is used correctly. Because, especially in neighborhoods or communities with heterogeneous interests, the regulars’ table is suitable for building trust, picking up on moods, and developing initial ideas.
Regulars' table and meet-up
The most important differences at a glance are:
Proximity and relationship: The regulars’ table thrives on personal exchange, the meet-up on efficiency.
Target groups: Older or locally strongly rooted groups often prefer physical formats, younger or professionally involved target groups prefer digital ones.
Project phase: Early exploration and trust phases benefit from the regulars’ table, later decision-making or feedback phases from the digital meet-up.
Resources: Digital formats are more quickly scalable, regulars’ tables have a deeper impact.
3. What is a digital meet-up?
The digital meet-up is an online-based exchange format, often supplemented by surveys, digital pinboards or voting tools. It is flexible in terms of time, independent of location and scales well for large or spatially distributed target groups
Typical characteristics
Participation possible from anywhere
well-structured agenda and clear questions
Combination with digital participation tools
efficient documentation and evaluation
Digital meet-ups are particularly suitable for information phases, validation of variants, or projects with many stakeholders at different locations and limited time resources.
How to make the right choice
The decision can be made easily based on four criteria. A clear concept is also important: goals, roles, communication, evaluation and transparency must be defined from the outset, results must be visible – otherwise the process loses its credibility.
Define goals and process
Composition of the target groups
Assess project size and complexity
Consider general conditions
4. Why professional support is crucial
Regular meetings and meet-ups do not unfold their effect by chance. They need structure, moderation, suitable tools, and experience in dealing with different interests. This is precisely where enovation comes in: We analyze needs, develop tailor-made participation concepts, and support the implementation – analog, digital, or hybrid.
Our recommendation: Seek advice before deciding on a format. This ensures that your participation tool is not only well-intentioned but also effective.