How do we move from systems never intended for everyone to thrive to systems that honor every person’s potential? It begins with everyday people and organizations committing to something larger than themselves, acting as stewards of the common good. Together, stewards work to ensure that everyone, without exception, has the vital conditions they need to flourish.
In February and April 2018, in neighborhoods across Springfield, participants deliberated various models of police oversight, identifying advantages and disadvantages. The discussions revealed broad concerns about the lack of independence, authority, and transparency in the existing oversight system.
How a charter review committee explored the complexities of using charter reform in efforts to establish a more consistent and inclusive mechanism for resident participation in municipal governance.
What happens when you combine the deliberative power of civic assemblies with the hands-on public engagement of participatory budgeting? New York City decided to find out.
The November 2024 election marked the debut of Portland’s new electoral system, featuring ranked choice voting for all offices. While ranking candidates is increasingly common, Portland stands out for combining ranked ballots with multi-seat districts.
Community potlucks create much-needed spaces for gathering and engaging in conversations with people we may not know well—conversations that foster a deeper connection to our communities and the broader world around us.
Representative deliberative processes are often used to address complex policy issues because they focus on finding common ground, unconstrained by political and partisan deadlocks. Cities that are undertaking charter reviews should consider using innovative strategies such as deliberative, lottery selected commissions to avoid some of the common pitfalls of the past.
An influx of new residents in rural and semi-rural areas, combined with the rise of remote work, presents an exciting opportunity for innovation. Smaller communities now have access to an innovative workforce that can participate in the global economy, while positively impacting their local economies, bringing new ideas, diverse perspectives, and a wealth of skills to drive technological growth.
In the spring of 2023, the National Civic League and Center for Democracy Innovation set out to create an interactive website to map the greater ecosystem of organizations, networks, coalitions, and funders promoting healthy American democracy. The result is a free, public resource that is a contribution to the healthy democracy space to benefit funders, practitioners, the field, and the American people.
