August News: New Staff & Board Members, Open RFPs, Resources to Explore

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A lot is happening within the People Powered community. Read on to learn about:

  • Four new board members and four staff additions who will contribute needed expertise in communications, partnerships, learning, and finance.

  • Three calls for experienced contractors to develop online tools and content designed to deepen citizen engagement in government decision making. The deadline to apply is August 8!

  • Our blueprint for growth and impact over the next three years.

  • An online tool in Mexico that allows residents to track the progress of promised spending.

  • Two Hungarian members of People Powered who are bringing participatory democracy to schools.

New Board Members and Staff Recruited to Support the Network

As the world struggles to emerge from a pandemic that is reshaping both economies and societies, the movement to build participatory democracy is needed now more than ever. This can be a time when we rethink how government decisions are made and who wields the levers of power. That’s why we recently recruited four new Board of Directors members and four subject-matter experts for our staff, and we’re excited to introduce them to you.

Our new Board of Directors members: Carole Excell, Czarina Medina-Guce, Louise Caldwell, and Nicolás Díaz Cruz

Our new Board of Directors members: Carole Excell, Czarina Medina-Guce, Louise Caldwell, and Nicolás Díaz Cruz

Our new staff members: Nagham Sabah Batros, Pam Bailey, Carol Kiangura, and Amanda Luz

Our new staff members: Nagham Sabah Batros, Pam Bailey, Carol Kiangura, and Amanda Luz

August 8 is the Deadline: Spread the Word about our Open RFPs

Calling all web developers, civic-tech writers, and participation technology experts! The deadline for responding to our latest RFPs is August 8. People Powered is looking for contractors to:

  • Develop a new, interactive online playbook.

  • Write a guide on digital participation platforms.

  • Set up a platform for People Powered use that models a new, technology-supported approach to participatory global governance.

The Pandemic Accelerated the Global Democracy Crisis; We Have a Plan

How will People Powered respond to the growing global crisis in democracy? How will we better support our members and partners over the next three years? Read our new strategic plan to learn how we will work with you to expand people’s democratic power.

Featured Resource: Interactive Site Allows Mexico City Residents to Track Spending

A website created by People Powered member Ollin offers a great example of how data can be presented in an accessible, user-friendly format to increase the transparency of participatory budgeting (PB).

The site allows residents of Mexico City to track the implementation of projects selected for funding via the government’s PB process. Site users can monitor the percentage of approved funds spent each year in their own neighborhoods. The website also features an interactive map showing the degree of engagement in PB by residents across the city.

Featured Members: Hungarian Organizations Use PB to Build Student Power

Two People Powered members in increasingly repressive Hungary—Alternatív Közösségek Egyesülete (AKE) and K-Monitor—are joining forces to introduce participatory budgeting to students, beginning with the Medgyessy Ferenc High School in Debrecen. People Powered helped secure funding for the initiative from the U.S. embassy in Budapest, and is providing a mentor to guide them during implementation.

AKE focuses on youth leadership and civic development in Eastern Hungary, a region that has become the heartland of right-wing populism. K-Monitor works to counter corruption. As a long-time advocate of participatory budgeting, K-Monitor will act as technical consultant and lead the evaluation phase.

What You Can Do