Best of 2024: Using participation to solve global challenges

2024 was a mixed year for democracy. Even with so many people voting worldwide, trust in democracy and government continued to decline. At the same time, we saw growing global support for new approaches to democracy —for updating our outdated systems so that people can more directly participate in decision-making. 

At People Powered, we’re leading a global bottom-up movement to build a more participatory democracy. In 2024, we focused on using participatory democracy to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. With our members and partners, we expanded people’s power over climate policy and new technologies, while making democracy more inclusive and resilient. Here are our top four highlights of the year:

1. Climate Democracy: We supported community-led action 

The climate crisis demands immediate and bold action. But traditional approaches—dominated by top-down policies and slow-moving global negotiations—have often failed to deliver the changes we urgently need.

Our Climate Democracy Accelerator has engaged communities directly in deciding climate policies, to make sure that they are inclusive, effective, and equitable. This year, we launched 30 climate democracy programs around the world. These programs gave power back to the people most affected by climate change, showing how the best solutions come from the ground up.

For example, in Chipinge, Zimbabwe, participatory policymaking led to new regional climate policies, reduced deforestation, and expanded sustainable agriculture practices.

Beyond these individual programs, we convened and supported international organizations working on climate democracy, to have greater global impact.

2. Digital Democracy: We shaped inclusive and equitable digital futures

As digital technologies transform how societies govern and connect, they also create new risks. Critical issues like AI, data privacy, and online misinformation have far-reaching consequences but are often addressed through exclusive, top-down processes. In 2024, People Powered brought participatory approaches to digital policymaking, so that those most affected by technology can shape its future.

Our Digital Democracy Accelerator launched 10 programs to engage community members in governing new technology. This included a program by the American University in Bulgaria to bring students, faculty, and staff together to decide AI policies at a consortium of six universities. 

We also expanded our Digital Participation Resources, to provide new ratings, online courses, and a Participation Playbook module to help governments and organizations select and use the best participation technology. 

3. Inclusive Democracy: We defended the right to participation

True democracy means everyone has a voice, yet historically marginalized groups—such as women, youth, and displaced people —are often excluded from decision-making. In 2024, People Powered prioritized inclusion by working with local organizations to dismantle barriers to participation and ensure policies reflect the needs of all community members.

We created global online courses, resources, and videos on inclusion in participatory programs, and worked with our members to deploy them in the field. In Kenya, our member Pathways Policy Institute led new approaches that increased marginalized participation in decision-making by 40%. In Cameroon, our member ASSOAL engaged displaced people and youth in governance for the first time, earning the trust of local leaders.

Building on these successes, we launched the Inclusive Democracy Accelerator to equip more organizations and governments with the tools to deepen inclusion.

4. Renewing Democracy: We inspired long-term structural changes

Democracy requires constant renewal to address evolving challenges. In 2024, we worked with our partners to build a shared vision for the transition to healthier democratic ecosystems. We embedded participation into government systems worldwide, helping democracy grow stronger, more inclusive, and more responsive. 

We developed and shared a new agenda for the next stage of democratic innovation, through a white paper, learning sessions, global convening, and world tour.

We launched a Mainstreaming Participation Accelerator with the Institute of Public Finance and Open Government Partnership, to support structural change on the ground.

We also connected diverse organizations working on participatory and deliberative democracy to build broader pro-democracy movements, including as a founding member of the Nets4Dem program in Europe.

Looking Ahead

We accomplished a lot in 2024, but there’s much more to do. As we enter 2025, People Powered and our members are excited to keep expanding people’s power, with you. Will you join us in creating a future where everyone’s voice counts?

If you work on participatory democracy and want to be part of the People Powered community, join as a member.

If you can support this work financially, make a donation.