We help decision makers
take hard decisions and build public trust
With 95 organizational members and 94 individual members across 55 countries and six continents, involving over 300 people, Democracy R&D is the largest global network dedicated to deliberative democracy and democratic innovation.
The challenge
With outdated tools, eroding public trust and pressure for quick fixes, it’s hard for governments to make wise long-term decisions.
Our approach
We empower diverse groups of citizens to reach informed judgements and share decisions with governments. We achieve this with deep democratic practices such as random selection (sortition) and deliberation. Anyone facing election cannot ignore public opinion. Our models offer something better: public judgment.
Our impact
Our members have helped governments from the local to the global generate trust, understanding, and solutions to some of the most challenging problems. We’re bringing everyday people back into public decision making.
Project
Spotlight
Kerewan Citizens’ Assembly, The Gambia
DemocracyNext, in partnership with Civic and the Great Green Wall Frontline, is organizing a Citizens’ Assembly in Kerewan as part of the African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative. Around 60 randomly selected residents will meet in 2025 to discuss ecosystem restoration and sustainable farming. The project builds on Civic’s earlier assemblies across The Gambia and combines traditional governance with deliberative methods to support inclusive decision-making in the Sahel.
Sarajevo Climate Citizens’ Forum, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Held from 9 May to 1 June 2025, the Sarajevo Climate Citizens’ Forum gathered randomly selected residents from Sarajevo Canton, Sarajevo, and East Sarajevo. Over three weekends, participants developed recommendations to reduce pollution and achieve climate neutrality by 2030. The initiative, part of the EU’s “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030” program, was jointly launched by local governments with independent design and facilitation.
Citizens’ Assembly 2025 (Switzerland)
From November 2024 to March 2025, Switzerland’s national Citizens’ Assembly brought together 100 randomly selected residents to address rising healthcare costs. Participants met in Zurich, Neuchâtel, and Bern, focusing on health promotion and prevention. The project was led by researchers from the Universities of Zurich and Geneva with independent facilitation and expert support.
Our reach
We are 189 organizations and individuals in 55 countries on 6 continents. And growing…
Our reach
We are 189 organizations and individuals in 55 countries on 6 continents. And growing…
To view our members across organizations and individuals
Select a country
Testimonials
Emmanuel Macron
President of France
Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Scotland’s Climate Assembly - recommendations for action: SG Response).
Peggy Flynn
City Manager of Petaluma.
California on the Petaluma Fairgrounds
Advisory Panel
California on the Petaluma Fairgrounds
Advisory Panel
Micheál Martin
Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of Ireland
António Guterres
UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan
The seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, served from 1997 to 2006, Nobel Peace Prize 2001
Ursula von der Leyen
EU Commission President
Mike Russell
Scottish Government Constitution Secretary, on Nicola Sturgeon's Citizens' Assembly project
Lisa Marie Barron
Member of Parliament since 2021, about Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform
in Canada
in Canada
Claudia Chwalisz
Founder and CEO of DemocracyNext
Nicole Curato
and Lucy Parry
in Deliberation in Democracy 's
Dark Times
Dark Times
Get involved
Learn from our members’ projects and experiences – as well as an inspiring list of books, videos and iconic articles.
Collaborate
We work with governments from the local to the global level. It all starts with a confidential conversation.
- team@democracyrd.local
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Strategic Partnerships
