News: Convening canceled, fight for democracy continues ✊
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Funding may freeze, but our movement won’t .
Funding may freeze, but our movement won’t .
Dear friends,
We are in solidarity with everyone affected by the US government’s foreign funding freeze. We are facing it too, at People Powered. In response, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the People Powered 2025 Convening, planned for April in Nairobi. We know that many of you are also struggling to adjust your plans and budgets. Let’s keep supporting each other in these challenging times.
We will plan additional virtual workshops and activities, to partly replace the in-person convening. We aim to have the next convening in 2026, and we will share additional information when we have it.
While we respond to the current chaos, we remain focused on solving the underlying problems. The funding freeze is a symptom of the inadequate system of democracy in the US and many countries. A democracy where few people are engaged in government or understand what it does. Where most people have little influence over government decision-making, beyond occasional elections. Where power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
People Powered is committed to renewing and expanding democracy, with you. All of us should have a say in the decisions that affect our lives. Participatory democracy makes this possible. We are supporting hundreds of organizations and governments around the world to transition to a more participatory democracy. Read about the impacts of this work below. Then join us or invest in democracy, to be part of the solution. We need your support.
Our 2024 Impact Report is here! Learn how we tackled 4 global challenges
In a year of challenges to democracy, People Powered and our 200+ members showed how participatory democracy can drive real change. From shaping climate policies to strengthening digital governance and inclusion, our collective work is empowering communities worldwide, beyond elections. Discover the key achievements, impact stories, and what’s next for 2025! 🚀
Webinar: Unlock the potential of AI for Digital Democracy and navigate its threats
How is AI shaping participatory democracy? How can we harness its transformative potential while addressing the challenges it presents? Join our upcoming webinar to explore how AI is redefining digital democracy and participation. We will share the results of a new global survey of over 30 leading tools and platforms, updated digital participation tool ratings, and new online courses and resources to help you run better digital participation.
📅 Date: February 18, 2025
⏰ Time: 9-10 AM ET / 3–4 PM CET
📍 Location: Zoom and LinkedIn Live
New Video: 5 Effective Strategies for Participatory Climate Action
How can communities take the lead in fighting climate change? In Uttarakhand, India, local leaders, citizens, and Forest Councils joined forces through a Citizens’ Assembly, to restore forests, recharge water sources, and build climate resilience. With support from People Powered’s Climate Democracy Accelerator and Himad Samiti, they developed a participatory model that can inspire climate action worldwide. Watch the video to learn five key strategies for participatory climate action.
Special thanks to World Resources Institute and Waverley Street Foundation for their support in making this work possible.
Partners for Dignity and Rights released their Co-Governance and Participatory Democracy in Action Map, an interactive map of examples of community and government working together.
Prossima Democrazia is running a transnational Citizens’ Assembly on European Democracy Reform in March 2025.
Iswe Foundation and partners have launched the first iteration of a new permanent global citizens’ assembly at the United Nations Summit of the Future.
OIDP Africa, in partnership with Enda ECOPOP, launched the Methodological Guide for Participatory Budgeting.
Asuntos del Sur is co-leading a task force for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at The Think 20, the G20’s engagement group of think tanks.
Katy Rubin and Aaron Landsman co-authored an article for the National Civic Review on how art and creativity can pave the way for a democratic renewal.
Sonia Bussu has launched a new legislative theater process with young people on youth employment as part of the INSPIRE project, working with youth facilitators in collaboration with Katy Rubin. Platoniq Foundation is also supporting this initiative with a module on the Decidim platform to amplify.
February 18, 2025: AI for Digital Democracy (webinar)
May 21-23, 2025: International Observatory on Participatory Democracy conference (Córdoba, Argentina)
June 10–11, 2025: TICTeC 2025 (Machelen and online)
October 7-9: Open Government Partnership Summit (Spain)
Our Resource Center showcases tools that can help us strengthen civil society and renew democracy:
Making the most of climate assemblies: This resource presents an eight-step approach for civil society organizations to engage with climate assemblies to influence policy.
Ocupar la Política (Occupy Politics): A video (in Spanish) about ''Ocupar la Política,'' a program that helps political candidates integrate participation and deliberation into their campaigns and work.
How to win rural governing power: This article shares lessons learned about using participatory democracy in electoral campaigns, in the U.S. state of West Virginia.
Botnar Foundation: Fit for Future open call for projects that harness digital technologies to create inclusive cities and education, in Romania, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Indonesia, Vietnam, Colombia, and Ecuador. (Deadline: February 10)
International Centre for Local Democracy: Call for Research Proposals: From local to global – challenges and opportunities for local democracy in times of crisis (Deadline: February 15)
International Climate Initiative (IKI): Thematic call on climate action and resilience (Deadline: February 18)
European Endowment for Democracy: Funding for local democracy organizations in the Eastern Partnership, Middle East and North Africa, the Western Balkans and Turkey. (Rolling deadline)
Multitudes Foundation: Open call for incubation and scaling grants for organizations building more inclusive politics in Europe (Rolling deadline)
