Personal and Digital Democracy

Reporting Updates Sept 1-22, 2025

  • International IDEA — Global State of Democracy 2025: Democracy on the Move (Sep 11)
    Scope: Global participation trends, incl. out-of-country voting (OCV).
    Findings: Expanding participation (incl. OCV) supports democratic resilience; participation metrics are mixed across regions. Why it matters: Evidence base for diaspora-voting and participation policy. (International IDEA)
  • **UNDP × People Powered — Digital Participation Platforms Guide (2025) ** (Sep 12)
    Scope: Global playbook for selecting, procuring, and running digital participation platforms (incl. AI features).
    Findings: Practical selection criteria, inclusion/privacy guardrails, and case studies. Why it matters: De-risks adoption and standardizes good practice for governments/CSOs. (UNDP)
  • UNDP — Civic Engagement in Action (evidence brief) (Sep 12)
    Scope: Multi-country program evidence.
    Findings: CSO–state collaboration can improve policy outcomes and trust; country snapshots provided. Why it matters: Replicable models for funders and implementers. (UNDP)
  • OECD — Governing with AI: “AI in civic participation & open government” (chapter) (Sep 18)
    Scope: OECD countries; AI uses in consultations/deliberation.
    Findings: AI can scale input analysis/moderation, but risks bias/opacity; calls for transparency and evaluation skills. Why it matters: Baseline standards for safe, effective AI-assisted participation. (OECD)
  • OGP IRM — New Zealand Co-Creation Brief 2025 (Sep 19)
    Scope: National co-creation quality review.
    Findings: Strengths/gaps in government-CSO co-creation; concrete recommendations for next action plan. Why it matters: Near-term fixes governments can implement. (Open Government Partnership)
  • OGP IRM — Czech Republic Action Plan Review 2024–2026 (Sep 16)
    Scope: National action plan review.
    Findings: Two promising commitments on participatory methods for social inclusion; advice for implementation. Why it matters: Shows how to mainstream participation in central government. (Open Government Partnership)
  • OGP IRM — Contagem, Brazil End-of-Commitment (Transparency Portal) (Aug 27)
    Scope: Local; transparency/usability reforms.
    Findings: Portal improvements enable citizen oversight and participation. Why it matters: Implementation-ready, local-level participation enabler. (Open Government Partnership)
  • OGP IRM — Peñalolén, Chile End-of-Commitment (Inclusive Administration) (Aug 20)
    Scope: Local; accessibility and participation for people with disabilities.
    Findings: Inclusive admin practices widen participation. Why it matters: Equity lens for participation legitimacy/effectiveness. (Open Government Partnership)
  • KNOCA — LOSLAND: Building the Future in Communities (synthesis report) (Sep 8)
    Scope: Germany; 10 municipalities; climate-policy participation.
    Findings: Six levers for meaningful local participation using citizens’-assembly-inspired methods. Why it matters: Transferable city-level design patterns. (knoca.eu)
  • European Commission (DG ENV) — Young Citizens’ Assembly on Pollinators (launch notice) (Sep 22)
    Scope: EU-wide youth deliberative process (3 sessions).
    Findings: Official launch; first session Sep 26–28, 2025 (Brussels). Why it matters: Signals institutional demand for deliberation on biodiversity policy. (Environment)