Envisioning Schaffhausen

Participative Process for a Vision of Schaffhausen

Initial Situation

Finding the region’s long-term strengths

By the mid-2000s, the Canton of Schaffhausen had recovered from the economic crisis of the 1990s. Net economic growth had not yet been established, however. Progress was simply ‘compensating’ for what had been lost during the crisis. As a result, in 2007 the government of Schaffhausen, together with the Schaffhausen Industry & Commerce Association (IVS) and the Cantonal Trades Association (KGV) launched the «Visions of Schaffhausen» project.

The project’s purpose was to generate ideas and develop these to secure the long-term competitiveness of the Canton and to improve the quality of life enjoyed by its citizens.

Project Profile

Visions ideas

Workshops

Approach

Creative Workshops and Plenary Session

Over 60 participants joined creative workshops on different topics to generate new impulses and approaches to drive the long-term development of the Canton of Schaffhausen. These ideas were then shared, discussed and evaluated with 70 delegates from the fields of politics, business and wider society at a Plenary Session.

Following the Plenary Session, the whole population of Schaffhausen was given the opportunity to offer their views and to comment on the suggestions put forward. The ideas for the future of Schaffhausen which emerged from this widespread consultation were summarised and approved as “Visions of Schaffhausen”.

Achievements

Shared core vision and individual ideas

The shared core vision and the 8 visions with over one hundred individual ideas were summarised in the final report «Schaffhausen 2020», which was then also published as brochure. Participants in the envisioning process received a brochure, which was also available to the public, to guide their future work.

The dissemination process led to the visions being incorporated into the legislative aims of the cantonal government, for example, and appeared in the purpose statements of some local associations. The timescale for implementing the more than one hundred ideas generated was between ten and fifteen years. Many of the visions resulting from the process have become reality over recent years.

Barbara Buchser

former president of the cantonal trade association (KGV)

«As project manager, Generis succeeded in structuring the numerous ideas from the vision process and developing a convincing overall vision for the Canton of Schaffhausen.»