Citizens’ assembly: Planning, coordinating, implementing

Digidem Lab has extensive experience in designing, coordinating, and delivering citizens’ assemblies in line with international standards and the OECD principles for deliberative democracy.

At a time when democracy is challenged by polarisation and declining trust in institutions, the need for new forms of public participation is growing in order to strengthen democratic systems. A Citizens’ assembly is a specific method for citizens participation and it is an effective method for bridging the gap between citizens and decision-makers, and for collectively addressing complex societal challenges.

We provide expert support throughout the entire process – from planning and sortition to facilitation and implementation. Our work follows the OECD principles of good practice, ensuring that your citizens’ assembly is transparent, inclusive, and methodologically robust, thereby strengthening both the quality and legitimacy of the outcomes.

Planning, coordination, and implementation of citizens’ assemblies

Digidem Lab offers a full-service package for citizens’ assemblies, where we work in close collaboration with you to manage the entire process. We use established methods within deliberative democracy and ensure a structured process that includes overall process design, stratified random selection of participants, and the design and moderation of the assembly in accordance with international standards.

Facilitation for citizens’ assemblies

We provide professional facilitation for citizens’ assemblies to organisations and decision-makers who manage the process themselves but require experienced facilitators. Our facilitators ensure inclusive, balanced, and well-structured discussions that enable informed and jointly developed recommendations from participants.

Sortition – recruitment of assembly members

Digidem Lab can conduct the recruitment of citizens’ assembly members through sortition (random, representative selection) in line with international standards for citizens’ assemblies. We ensure transparency, fair selection processes, and participant groups that reflect the diversity of the population.

Digidem Lab’s experience with citizens’ assemblies

Digidem Lab has extensive experience in designing and delivering citizens’ assemblies and participatory processes at international level. We have worked on the design, recruitment, and facilitation of several citizens’ assemblies for the European Commission. These assignments have contributed to the development of inclusive and large-scale participatory processes in complex political contexts.

In Sweden, we have carried out several national and local citizens’ assemblies, including Sweden’s first national climate citizens’ assembly, the Swedish Food Agency’s citizens’ assembly on sustainable and healthy food consumption, and Lund City’s participatory process on eco-social urban districts. We have also worked with the City of Gothenburg on citizens’ assemblies focused on climate and environmental policy as well as on citizen’s assembly on creating a greener and more accessible city.

Ready to get started?

With the right process, citizens’ assemblies can become a powerful tool for addressing complex societal challenges and strengthening trust in decision-making. Get in touch and we will help you plan your citizens’ assembly.