In October 2019, the city of Kortrijk (76.265 inhabitants) was the setting of the very first digital referendum in Flanders. The key question: “Do you agree that the centre of Kortrijk should be car-free for a fixed Sunday every month?” The people of Kortrijk (aged 16 or older) had one...
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If you clicked the title of this article, you’re probably looking for a way to leave a mark on your local community. But it’s easy to get sucked into the grind of everyday life. When we’re juggling work, school, hobbies, chores and family time, participating in your local government seems...
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Today’s political landscape is characterised by strong polarisation, a sense of unease, and a decline of trust in our governments (and democracy as a whole). Across the globe, this evolution has led to the rise of populist movements and the election of headstrong, authoritarian leaders. The democratic system that became...
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Artificial Intelligence, Collective Intelligence… these notions might sound like they come from coming from a distant future, but they are actually becoming reality. Both hold great promises, and both have the power to improve efficiency and decision-making processes within local governments. So what exactly are they, and how to they...
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Setting up an inclusive participation project is easier said than done. Luckily, there are a few things that’ll get you on the right track in no time. For more advice on inclusivity, download our full guide here. Digital participation is inclusive when you reach every group in your community (irrespective...
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Awareness about the value and importance of citizen participation is gradually spreading across the globe. As a result, we’ve got some very exciting news to share: CitizenLab is launching in Chile! CitizenLab is officially launching in Latin America. We’ve joined forces with local partners Pablo Valenzuela and Magdalena Gatica Monteiro...
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The Flemish city of Leuven (101,000 inhabitants) has made the leap towards citizen participation! During this first project on the city’s strategic planning, over 3,000 inhabitants raised their voices. In June 2019, the city council launched its first large-scale participation campaign under the slogan “Leuven, maak het mee” (a play...
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