The city of Alcobendas has been instrumental in establishing a citizen collaboration network involving 16 municipalities in the northern region of the Community of Madrid. Under the name Red Norte Estrategia ParticipaViva, this alliance seeks to create a stable framework for cooperation among participating local governments, with the ultimate goal of promoting greater citizen involvement in public affairs.

The formal agreement, signed at the Alcobendas Art Center, lays the groundwork for developing joint policies on citizen participation over the next four years. The participating municipalities, in addition to Alcobendas, include Algete, Belvis, Cobeña, Colmenar Viejo, El Molar, Fuente el Saz, La Cabrera, Navalafuente, Paracuellos, Pedrezuela, Rascafría, San Agustín de Guadalix, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Tres Cantos, and Valdeolmos-Alalpardo.

The primary objective of this network is to solidify citizen participation as a fundamental pillar of municipal action. This will be achieved through the exchange of experiences, sharing solutions to common challenges, and generating synergies among the different territories to optimize local management.

The Red Norte Estrategia ParticipaViva outlines various lines of action, including organizing joint activities to encourage resident involvement and developing training programs for both municipal staff and citizens. Furthermore, tools and resources will be created to implement participatory processes more effectively, complemented by awareness campaigns on the value of local participation.

The agreement, with an initial duration of four years, remains open for other northern municipalities interested in joining this collaborative initiative.