Good practices for managing civic crowdfunding for public sector projects in the town of Nürtingen

The alternative financing method known as crowdfunding has incredibly grown in the last years. One of the emerging models is the civic crowdfunding, which contributes to raise funds for developing public goods. The present research examines the topic analyzing how to carry out a successful crowdfunding campaign for the Energieschaugarten, project that belongs to the Municipality of Nürtingen (Germany). Relevant impacts are expected to arise from its application in the town, due to its positive influence in the three main pillars of the sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. The study was performed with a deductive, exploratory and qualitative approach, by making use of literature review, content analysis of crowdfunding platforms and a research of crowdfunded projects within the most suitable websites for the Energieschaugarten. It concludes with recommendations of how the crowdfunding could be adjusted, designed and managed for the civic initiative in Nürtingen, highlighting the relevance of planning a specific strategy and a comprehensive communication program for it. Throughout this work, the initial stage and dynamic nature of the industry were assessed. So, for tapping the potential of this alternative financing method, future investigations are suggested for being executed at the moment when the Energieschaugarten is close to its implementatio