75 Citizens Develop Recommendations for the Future of Banking

After three intensive weekends, the Bankforum, the first citizens’ assembly on banking in Belgium, has reached an important milestone. Last weekend, 75 randomly selected citizens presented their recommendations to Belfius, marking the culmination of a unique participatory process.

Citizens Reflect on the Future of Banking
Over the course of six days, 75 randomly selected citizens from across Belgium came together to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing the banking sector.

During the final weekend, participants refined their proposals, debated different perspectives, and worked towards a shared set of recommendations. In the end, twenty recommendations were collectively approved.

These recommendations focus on three key priorities: 

• strengthening cooperation between banks and public authorities to tackle fraud more effectively,
• ensuring that banking services are accessible, understandable and inclusive for everyone,
• and increasing transparency and citizen participation to strengthen trust and engagement.

Participatory Democracy in Practice
The Bankforum demonstrates how citizens can play a constructive role in shaping social and economic challenges. By bringing together diverse perspectives and creating the conditions for informed discussion and reflection, citizens can develop thoughtful and ambitious solutions.

The next phase of the process is the preferendum, which will launch on 11 June. Through this innovative participatory tool, the wider Belgian public will have the opportunity to express their views on the recommendations developed by the Bankforum.

At the same time, Belfius will examine how these recommendations can be taken into account in its future strategy.

Through this initiative, the Bankforum shows that participatory democracy is not only possible, but can also generate valuable insights for the future of banking in Belgium.

The Bankforum was initiated by Belfius, facilitated by LEVUUR, and coordinated by G1000.