COVID-19: We’re here to help
Local governments are at the forefront of the COVID-19 crisis. Public administrations, local health services and first responders are being put under incredible strain and their efforts are an essential part in...
The future of Digital Democracy
Who could have imagined, just ten years ago, what 2020 would look like? Over the past ten years, our modern democracies have undergone a radical change. We have seen technology transform things for better, and for...
One tool, multiple possibilities: three examples of participatory budgeting
Recently, participatory budgeting has been the talk of the town(s). It would be a mistake to disregard them as a fad as they are, in fact, powerful tools used to make local governance more accessible and...
Monthly Civic Tech Must-reads #11
What’s new in the realm of Civic Tech and digital democracy? Every month, we curate a list of must-read articles and thought-pieces that help us make sense of current times. This month, we’re still...
The ladder of citizen participation in the digital era
As you may know by now, “citizen participation” refers to the process of allowing citizens to participate in the public decision-making process. When it comes to citizen participation, the government...
INJUV empowers 28,250 millennials to discuss sustainable development ideas for Chile
INJUV, Chile’s National Youth Institute, is a public institution that collaborates with the government in designing policies related to youth affairs. To give millennials across the country the chance to voice...
Case study: Rueil-Malmaison creates a lasting online community
The secrets behind the platform’s success: trust, transparency, longevity. The French commune of Rueil-Malmaison (78,152 inhabitants), in the west suburbs of Paris, launched its participation platform in 2018...
What’s the difference between dialogue, debate, and deliberation?
It’s an inherent part of human nature to process information and form opinions of our own. These opinions are shaped by our background, education levels, access to information, and hundreds of other...
Monthly Civic Tech Must-reads #10
With a global pandemic, worldwide protests, and rapid evolutions shaking up pretty much every field, 2020 has been a wild year so far. Every month, we curate a selection of must-read articles from the realm of...
Online deliberation: 3 takeaways from our webinar with the Democratic Society
Consistent public deliberation is essential for democratic continuity. For a long time, offline meetings were the preferred way of engaging communities, with online participation often playing not much more than a...
Meet CitizenLab’s partners in Poland and Germany
Only three months ago we launched our global partnership programme. Today, we have 6 local partners who support us in shaping local democracies for the digital era. And we’re extremely proud of that! That’s...
30 Civic Tech thought leaders to follow on Twitter
What digital democracy builders can’t miss on your Twitter feed? We have curated a list of active and inspiring profiles, ranging from researchers, civil servants to entrepreneurs. You should definitely...
6 Inspiring citizen participation cases in 2020
Say what you will, but 2020 has been an eventful year. In 7 months, social movements and a pandemic have forced local democracies to redefine their communication with citizens. Yet, faced with these challenges,...
Pioneers #3: Beth Noveck, Director of the Governance Lab
“A lawyer by training and a techie by inclination.” That’s how TED describes Professor Beth Simone Noveck. And to be fair, “techie” is a decent attempt at an appropriate description...
Monthly Civic Tech Reads #9
Every month, we curate a list of interesting articles and thought pieces within the realm of Civic Tech and digital democracy. COVID-inspired tech innovations, AI and European regulations affecting privacy, and...
Pioneers #2: Nanjira Sambuli, policy analyst and activist
She made it into New African Magazine‘s Top 100 Most Influential Africans in 2016. Three years later, in 2019, she was one of BBC’s 100 Inspiring and Influential Women. Meet Nanjira. “Africa...
Online deliberation: 3 takeaways from our webinar with the Democratic Society
Consistent public deliberation is essential for democratic continuity. For a long time, offline meetings were the preferred way of engaging communities, with online participation often playing not much more than a...
Promoting community engagement: 4 takeaways
When setting up a community engagement project, a strong communication strategy is the most important tool in your toolbox. This article is an extract of our Essential Communication Guide, which features tips from...
Meet CitizenLab’s newest members!
As the shift to the online realm becomes more and more pressing in all areas of life, digital deliberation is in the lift as well. As strengthening our democracies and stimulating the dialogue between governments...
Monthly Civic Tech Must-reads #8
Crises often lead to reflection: should we be doing things differently? What changes can improve our democracies? The ongoing pandemic has shaken things up and forced democracies worldwide to function differently....
How public engagement can help to tackle climate change
Over the last few years, the UK has made considerable efforts to tackle climate change. In 2019, the government enshrined its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 into national legislation. By...
3 Tips to Mix Online and Offline Community Engagement
Are you a firm believer in the offline old-school? Or do you choose the digital route whenever you can? Good news: when it comes to community engagement, you don’t have to pick one. In fact, a combination of...