Mobilizations in the public space

Understanding Collective Action through experimental mobilizations in Bogotá, Colombia

I co-founded a civic movement in Bogotá dedicated to promoting collective action and cooperation through shared experiences in public spaces. We designed and led large-scale mobilizations aimed at creating the conditions for people to collaborate and pursue common goals. Engaging directly with communities revealed the nuances of collective action at the micro level—insights often overlooked in theoretical approaches.

Questions like “Why should I stop littering if no one else does?”, “Does my small effort really matter?”, and “What’s the point of cleaning if it won’t stay clean?” were central to our motivation, particularly in addressing waste management issues in Bogotá. In response, a group of volunteers and I aimed to shift the narrative from isolated individual actions to sustained, visible contributions that inspire responsibility and encourage others to follow.

I grounded our mobilizations in principles from collective action theory, that provide useful guides to create appropiate scenarios for cooperation: designing the right incentives, crafting messages that connect to people, controlling the events to prevent opportunism, eliminating suspicion, providing correct and timely information, ensuring the security of the events and generating credibility.

These were needed as we were motivating citizens to wake up early on a Sunday morning to clean up Bogota's streets. Through practice, we learnt that the goal was larger: to prompt behaviors that demonstrate that lasting change emerges from our willingness to lead, influence others, and stay engaged.

This is what we learned by intentionally linking theory and practice:

Micro intentions reveal the true essence of altruistic behaviours

In scenarios of collective action, it’s often the small, spontaneous gestures that reveal the true nature of altruism. These micro-intentions—subtle, genuine acts driven by personal values—may not be recognized in theory as catalysts for collaboration, yet in practice, they proved essential to the project's success.

We observed people correcting one another, sharing knowledge, demonstrating skills, smiling, and simply coexisting. These seemingly minor actions had a profound effect: they didn’t follow a script, but instead reflected authentic engagement. Rather than large-scale conformity, it was these organic, human interactions that sparked the deeper sociological framework of the project.

These micro-intentions became a foundation for the next phases of our design. We prioritized and encouraged any form of interaction that fostered cooperation—however small—knowing that real collective behavior often begins in these quiet, meaningful exchanges.

  1. Collective action, or collective thought?: Truly transparent and effective collective actions take time to develop and evaluate. However, experiences like this project offer something just as valuable: a glimpse into what it means to think collectively. Even if the outcomes aren't fully formed, the process helps cultivate a shared mindset—laying the groundwork for deeper, more sustained collaboration in the future.

  2. What happens after the mobilization matters: The impact of collective action doesn’t end once the event is over—what follows is just as important. Beyond sparking participation, sustaining motivation afterward proved essential to advancing broader civic goals. By doing this, we became part of the ongoing commitment of maintaining communication, reinforcing shared values, and cultivating a network of people and messaging about collective care. We were also encouraged by unexpected responses—citizens calling to say they had stopped throwing cigarette butts on the street, or recounting how they asked others to hold onto their trash instead of littering. These small shifts signaled a lasting impact, showing that the spirit of the mobilization continued through everyday actions.

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  1. Collective experience speeds up social norms: New behaviors, when practiced collectively, can quickly become normalized and widely understood. For example, the idea of cleaning public spaces began to feel natural as more people joined in. This, to me, marks the emergence of collective thinking.

    When passersby witnessed the mobilization, each person made an individual assessment of the risks and benefits of participating. But as more people took action, the perceived risk decreased—and the likelihood of others joining grew. Visibility and shared commitment became powerful motivators.

  2. The city's vision can evolve—Even when firmly wstablished: In Bogotá, pessimism about the city is widespread. We found that giving people meaningful reasons to take action—and going beyond complaining—can shift long-held perceptions about our shared spaces. Even when the dominant vision of the city feels deeply entrenched, it can be challenged and improved through purposeful engagement.

La construcción del conocimiento será colectiva o no será