📢 April news: New members, accelerator launch & learning webinars on innovation!
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Hi there,
In this month’s People Powered news, we put the focus on our members, and the innovative work they are leading across the world. Learn why you should become a member and join the global membership of over 140 organizations and individuals.
We help address common challenges, build power and resources, and advocate for shared priorities. Together, we’re growing a global movement to expand people’s democratic power. Will you join us in our mission to give power to people’s voices?
If you want to learn more about membership, register for the next member info session on June 12th, 9:00 am ET/ 13:00 UTC.
You’re invited to join our series of learning webinars on innovations in democracy
What are the key challenges and opportunities for innovations in democracy? The Open Government Partnership (OGP), People Powered, and the Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Collaborative (TAI), are collaborating to bring you the latest insights from the field. Join our webinars to learn from experts from governments, funders, and civil society on four key issues: digital democracy, inclusive democracy, climate democracy, and mainstreaming participation.
The first webinar, on May 14, focuses on digital democracy. How can we improve how governments engage people in decision-making about AI and other digital issues? How can we strengthen citizen participation in governance of AI, data, and digital technology? Register for our learning webinar to learn about the latest efforts to address these questions, including the outcomes of the Digital Democracy Accelerator.
Say hello to the latest People Powered members!
The People Powered community is growing stronger! So far this year, we have welcomed 39 new members from more than 20 countries and six continents. People Powered members are the world’s leading organizations, practitioners, policymakers, civil servants, researchers, and advocates building participatory democracy. Meet the newest members that have joined this year!
Three stories of our members supporting each other to build better democracies
Building better democracies is hard work, but you don't have to walk alone. Our members always find ways to build bridges and work together for the greater good. Learn how People Powered members in Colombia, Chile, Hungary, and Paraguay are working together on innovative projects on climate assemblies, legislative theater, and digital participation platforms.
Performing climate democracy: How a city in Brazil is using legislative theater to influence policy
In Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, located about 300 kilometers from São Paulo, young people and senior citizens from the city’s outskirts gather on Saturdays to express through theater how the climate crisis is impacting their lives. In the process, they’re contributing to the city’s new Climate Change Plan. Learn more about this inspiring initiative by the Centro de Referência Popular (CERPO), an organization that graduated from the first cohort of the Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA).
Join the launch event of the Democratic Innovations Accelerator in Europe
Are you interested in furthering democratic innovation and participation in Europe and beyond? At the crossroads of tradition and innovation, Europe's democratic landscape is experiencing a meaningful transformation. To support the next generation of changemakers, the first Nets4Dem Democratic Innovations Accelerator (DIA), led by People Powered and Coglobal, will launch on 8th May! Register for the launch event to learn how to apply.
Our speakers include Paul Zoubkov (Democracy Reporting International), Sahib Singh (Demos Helsinki), Caroline Schlenker (Grenoble municipality), and Zoë Wilkins (People Powered).
Watch Our Fireside Chat with the GPSA
Our Co-Executive Director, Josh Lerner, joined Aly Rahim, Program Manager of the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA), for a fireside chat last week in Washington, DC. They explored how to tackle key global challenges of civic engagement, including how to make participation more inclusive, engage communities in responding to the climate crisis, and turn one-off innovations into systemic change. Watch the recording of Amplifying People’s Power.
Delibera Brasil, Democracia en Red, Extituto de Política Abierta, and Instituto del Sur Urbano have formed (Re)surgentes, a consortium of organizations in Latin America, organizing a cycle of 4 climate assemblies in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. Register for the press conference on May 2.
Emiliano Arena from the AAIP of the Argentinian Government launched an online transparency portal with a focus on citizen participation.
IOPD Africa launched the 6th edition of the Local Leadership Awards with UCLG Africa, honoring the best practices and innovations in territorial governance.
Participation Factory has launched its Participation in Action interactive webinar series occurring at the start of each month. Register for the next event on May 7, titled ‘Web Development: threat or opportunity’.
Maggie Shum’s article "PB adoption across ideological divides: Lessons from Brazil," is online with Local Development and Society as part of a special issue, "Participatory Budgeting: Accomplishments, Challenges and Prospects"!
Open Government Partnership: Three Ways to Better Govern the Use of AI (learn more at our joint webinar on digital democracy).
Participedia: The 2024 Participedia School will focus on Transnational Democratic Innovations (we look forward to participating!).
International Observatory on Participatory Democracy: The deadline to apply for the 18th IOPD Award for government initiatives is approaching on May 15.
May 7: Launch Event: Democratic Innovations Accelerator in Europe
May 14: Learning Webinar on Innovations in Democracy: Digital Democracy
May 15–18: Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy (Bucharest, Romania)
May 19–22: People Powered Member Convening (Warsaw, Poland)
May 22–23: e-Governance Conference 2024: Unlocking Digital Success (Hybrid, Estonia)
June 4: Learning Webinar on Innovations in Democracy: Inclusive Democracy
June 12–14: 5th Public Participation and Deliberative Democracy Festival (Brussels, Belgium)
June 12–13: TICTeC 2024: The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (London, UK)
June 18: Learning Webinar On Innovations In Democracy: Climate Democracy
July 2: Learning Webinar On Innovations In Democracy: Mainstreaming Participation
August 26–29: Local Democracy Academy (Lund, Sweden)
September 18–22: Democracy R&D Gathering (Vancouver, Canada)
See more featured resources from our members on the Resource Center
The report “Rewrite the Rules” from the Center for Economic Democracy explores how municipal charters can be democratized to allow equitable and just community decision-making through a case study of the City of Boston, United States.
This publication on innovations in local climate assemblies and juries from Involve summarizes innovative practices from processes run over the last five years in the United Kingdom.
Permanent citizenship for political advocacy (Spanish) from Extituto de Política Abierta and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung discusses the risks of political participation to citizens in Colombia, and methods to promote political advocacy through the concept of "permanent citizenship."
International Observatory on Participatory Democracy: Call for nominations for “Best Practice in Citizen Participation.” (Deadline: May 15)
National Endowment for Democracy: Grants to advance democratic goals and strengthen democratic institutions (Deadline: June 3)
German Marshall Fund: Central Europe—Building Resilience in Civil Society (CEBRICS) project supports efforts to advance democratic freedoms and security with grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. (Deadline: June 15)
Multitudes Foundation: Open call for incubation and scaling grants for organizations building more inclusive politics in Europe (Rolling deadline)
