Consortium

Our methodology

CitiDem’s methodological approach is based on 4 main interconnected phases that will support the implementation of the respective Work Packages (WPs). First, the project will set the basis for exchange of experiences and knowledge sharing (phase 1), to produce insights for the further organisation and implementation of the Citizen Assemblies of CitiDem (phase 2). Then, previous phases will support the delivery of the policy impact of the project (phase 3) through the engagement of policymakers and other policy actors in dedicated activities. Finally, the project will ensure the further engagement of citizens, civil society organisations, experts, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders through events and activities targeting wider audiences and stakeholders, in order to “spread the word” for a stronger democracy (phase 4).

The assemblies

CitiDem’s Citizens’ Assemblies (CAs) will be held in 8 Member States (Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Austria and the Netherlands) and will be focused on the following topics:

• Greece: “Democracy vs. Disinformation in the Digital Era: Addressing disinformation and enhancing citizen participation online”
• Italy: “Climate crisis and Green New Deal”
• Germany: “Democracy Unboxed: Bridging EU-German Democracy in a Comparative Analysis: democracy, democratic instruments and citizens’ participation”
• France: “Diversity and inclusivity in democracy: we can do better!”
• Portugal: “Public engagement on climate change and the green transition”
• Slovenia: “Political participation of all for the Europe of equals”
• Austria: “Labour, Migration & Climate Justice”
• The Netherlands: “Green transition and circular economy”

At the beginning as well as at the end of the CitiDem project, Transnational Citizens’ Assemblies will be organised.

Consultation

CitiDem wants to ask your opinion: Citizens’ assemblies are a promising and frequently used way of involving citizens in democratic politics.

• But what do assemblies achieve in practice?
• And how good are assemblies at really involving citizens and in keeping them engaged?
• And how effective are citizens’ assemblies in trying to stemming the tide of distrust, anti-democratic sentiments, and the increasing prominence of far-right forces?

We would like to hear from you/your organisation on what your views and experiences are, as citizens, practitioners, scholars, or observing fellow-travellers. That is why we – as part of the Citizens’ Action for Democracy – CitiDem project (funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union) – set up a consultation to gather a broad range of views on citizen participation.

You can participate here. The survey comprises 16 questions on citizens’ assemblies, and should not take you more than ca. 15 minutes.

Events

The first CitiDem event will be a webinar on How to make citizens’ assemblies resonate?, held on Monday 17 February, 16.00-18.00 CET, and organised by the University of Bologna. The webinar wants to discuss the question of how effective citizens’ assemblies are in actively involving citizens. In times of increased distrust towards democratic politics, may assemblies help to bring citizens closer to democratic politics? If so, what kind of citizens tend to participate more? And what kind of methodologies work best in engaging citizens? And which types of assemblies work best? The webinar will further engage with the question of whether assemblies should be linked to other forms of engagement, and if and when participation in assemblies tends to lead to more durable forms of citizens’ engagement and activism.  We have invited three scholars with great expertise on citizens’ assemblies – Melisa Ross (University of Bremen), Andrea Felicetti (University of Padova), and Yves Sintomer (University of Paris 8) – to discuss how we can make sure that assemblies engage citizens in a meaningful and empowering way.

More information on registration will follow soon.

Final recommendations

During 2025 and 2026, CitiDem will hold local citizen assemblies in 8 EU countries, as well as a number of transnational assemblies. The various assemblies will produce recommendations that will be shared here in due course.

The topics of the assemblies include: Disinformation and online participation; Climate crisis, climate justice, the circular economy and the green transition; Comparison of domestic and European democracy; Diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination; Participation of non-citizens/migrants; Rights of mobile and marginalised workers; and Youth empowerment.