We are coming together in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 2–5, 2026 for the next global gathering on participatory democracy!

This year’s theme Global Challenges, Participatory Solutions — explores how people-powered approaches can tackle the world’s most urgent issues – focusing on the climate crisis, the need for more inclusive democracies, and narrative change.

Around the world, people are demanding transformational change — for political systems that work and solutions that meet the complexity of today’s crises. As distrust in institutions grows and authoritarianism becomes more appealing, we need bold democratic practices that deliver real results. 

Participatory democracy can help address these challenges, by giving people the power to shape decisions on what matters most, alongside governments. The People Powered 2026 Convening will focus on co-creating innovative participatory solutions, bringing together organizations, civil servants, researchers, advocates, and funders to learn, connect, and shape the future of democracy together.

Program

• Workshops: Gain practical skills and tools for participatory and deliberative democracy, and help build shared global resources and programs.

• Site visits: Experience and learn from local participatory programs in action.

• Networking: Connect with peers, practitioners, and changemakers from around the world at fun exchanges and social events.

• Strategic planning: People Powered members will build agreement about our shared priorities for the next years.

Learn more about the program.

Why Attend?

If you're working to advance people’s power — locally or globally — this convening is for you. Whether you’re a civil society leader, policy-maker, academic, funder, or local government official, you’ll gain:

• Skills for running successful participatory and deliberative democracy programs, through learning sessions

• Knowledge about diverse democratic innovations, through workshops and site visits in Nairobi

• Connections with reformers, changemakers, and funders from around the world, through social and networking spaces

• Support to address your biggest challenges, through problem-solving case clinics.

• Power to shape the future of participatory democracy, through sessions to co-create shared resources, programs, and plans.

Our first two convenings — Mexico City (2023) and Warsaw (2024) — brought together hundreds of reformers and advocates to share and develop tools and strategies. Next year, we’re building on that momentum by addressing big challenges such as climate democracy, inclusion, and narrative change. Together, we’ll set a course for the future of participatory democracy.

Venue, travel and logistics

We will share the venue in Nairobi soon, alongside other useful information.

If you are traveling from abroad to the convening, please check the official Kenya E-Visa website for information on how to apply and what is required. We will issue invitation letters to all confirmed participants.

Registration

Register by January 15 to take advantage of lower early bird registration fees. Ticket prices are on a sliding scale to make the event more accessible for people with less resources:

• Sponsor: For people with income greater than $72,000 per year / $6,000 per month USD

• Regular: For people with income $30,000-72,000 per year / $2,500-6,000 per month USD

• Reduced: For people with income less than $30,000 per year / $2,500 per month USD

• People Powered members can register for free! See the instructions sent separately to members.

These early bird discounted rates will increase on January 15 . Get your tickets now!

Past Convenings

Learn about the 2024 convening in Warsaw and the 2023 convening in Mexico City