The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP) will return for its 25th annual conference in Kraków from 21–23 September 2026, under the theme “Hope and renewal in the face of a global crisis of democracy.” This milestone event invites political leaders, practitioners, academics and civil society from around the world to reflect on how participatory democracy can respond to pressing global challenges like polarization, climate change, migration and declining trust in democratic institutions — and how local innovation can inform broader democratic futures.

The conference will centre on four thematic pathways: strengthening citizen engagement in times of crisis, institutionalizing deliberation within representative systems, understanding participatory democracy in contexts of social and political transformation, and highlighting the critical role of local governments as incubators of democratic innovation. Sessions will feature a mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and space for sharing concrete practices from diverse contexts, with simultaneous interpretation in multiple languages.

Participants will help shape the Political Declaration of the 25th OIDP Conference and celebrate exemplary practices through the OIDP Awards for Best Practice in Citizen Participation. Beyond formal outputs, the event aims to foster stronger global partnerships across cities, civil society and research communities, and to leave attendees with practical ideas and collaborations that strengthen participatory democracy at every level of governance