That’s a wrap! Over the past month, the Center for Democracy Innovation had the privilege of working on the ground in four incredible communities, co-hosting public engagement workshops and piloting democratic innovations. From Appalachia to the Rio Grande Valley, the hospitality, energy, and initiative were inspiring. Each community shows what it means to root democratic renewal in lived experience, trusted relationships, and imagination.
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, we joined the team from ShiftActionLab for the Parkersburg Engagement Pilot, an ambitious initiative blending community organizing, bridging, and participatory governance. Through this pilot, residents are undergoing training and research in how to engage neighbors, lead structured dialogue, and deliberate on shared priorities. The community-engaged project draws on tools from across civic fields to build democratic muscle at the local level.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, our partners at RaleighForward, WakeUP Wake County, and the City of Raleigh hosted a Civic and Community Engagement Forum that convened over 60 residents. The conversations explored democratic innovation across three spheres: working parallel to government (community-led processes), within government (institutional design), and within neighborhoods and communities. Topics ranged from citizens’ assemblies and deliberative public comment to community governance models. The energy in the room reflected a community ready to scale what works and imagine what’s possible.
Franklin, Tennessee and Edinburg, Texas, have partnered with the League and the Bridge Alliance as the first two pilots of the Healthy Democracy project. Both cities are engaged in community research and civic infrastructure scans, identifying the institutions, community networks, sources of information, and other resources that make local democracy work and where it could work better. During this past month we hosted public events with residents to share findings, surface priorities, and build momentum for action. The next steps include launching cross-sector civic leadership cohorts to co-design new engagement processes focused on community priorities. Franklin Tomorrow, the City of Franklin, and the City of Edinburg for your leadership and partnership.
Thank you to every local partner, resident, and public servant who made this work possible. We left each city energized, humbled, and reminded once again that the future of democracy is being built from the ground up. We look forward to providing further highlights on these pilots and community collaborations.
The National Civic League’s approach to working with communities is multifaceted, evidence-based, and rooted in the unique strengths and needs of each place. We use a variety of proven tools and practices to help communities move from conversation to action — ensuring engagement is inclusive, impactful, and sustained. Through our Center for Democracy Innovation, we study, test, and spread new models that make local democracy more participatory, equitable, and effective. Whether helping to identify priorities, design solutions, or measure impact, we work to ensure engagement reaches beyond the usual participants and builds broad, community-wide ownership.
The League offers expertise across a wide range of areas, and we can design a custom package of services tailored specifically to your community’s goals. If your community is ready to strengthen its civic infrastructure and spark new possibilities, we’d love to work with you. Contact us to start a conversation.
