March news: How to engage youth & women, RFP & mentorship deadlines!

Hey there!

This month’s news features stories on youth and women’s inclusion, new ratings of digital participation tools, a call for proposals for consultants, a final call for Rising Stars Mentorship applications, and more!

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Our members are working to include youth in participatory budgeting across Eastern Europe 

How can we adapt our current political participation and education models to include youth voices? Youth participatory budgeting gives us a compelling way to achieve that. People Powered members have joined forces to expand youth participatory budgeting to schools across four Eastern European countries. Learn more about the challenges and impact of their efforts, and how People Powered supports this work.


How participatory programs can better include women

In Santa Ana Tzacuala, Mexico, like in many rural areas around the world, decision-making typically excludes women. Things changed when our member, Ollin, arrived to run a participatory budgeting program designed to include women every step of the way. What resulted were innovative ideas from women and children to protect the environment and create spaces for families. Learn the best practices that made this process a success and how you can better include women in participatory programs. Read the story and watch our video!


We compiled the best digital participation tools of 2024

Every year, we evaluate the world’s leading digital participation tools together with independent tech experts and with the input of hundreds of developers and users. We’ve just released the 2024 ratings featuring 30 platforms designed to help you run digital participation programs, from participatory policymaking to citizens’ assemblies and more! Find your new participation tool today.

We’re seeking consultants to take us to the next level

People Powered seeks a suite of consulting services to support a recent leadership transition to a Co-Executive Director model and advance strategic organizational priorities. A generous capacity-building grant is allowing us to increase our internal capabilities in fundraising, partnerships, and community building.

The consultant(s) will work on elevating our engagement strategies with donors and renewing our membership strategy to boost our value to our global community. Review the Request for Proposals (RFP) and share it with your networks. Deadline: April 8.


Tomorrow is the last day to apply for Rising Stars Mentorship!

Launching or improving a participatory program is challenging work. How do you design processes that are effective and impactful? What’s the best way to gain support from policymakers? Our expert mentors in participation worldwide could answer questions like these — Apply by March 27 to be accepted into the program!

See the highlights on digital participation from our Resource Center

Digital tools and PB in Scotland. A research report on the use of digital tools to support participatory budgeting in Scotland, this resource offers vital learnings and recommendations to consider when implementing digital participation.

Digital Democracy: A guide. This resource is full of advice for local governments on how to get started with existing digital tools for democratic decision-making based on practical experiences and insights.

Montevideo Decide. This case study demonstrates how digital participation was used to give the people of Montevideo, Uruguay, power over local policymaking through debates, surveys, and project initiatives.

If you are looking to engage your community online, make sure to check out our Guide to Digital Participation Platforms, which provides practical information and tips to plan your next digital participation program!

  • Share our Request for Proposals for consultants

  • Use the Digital Participation Tool Ratings

  • Donate to support the participatory democracy movement!