65 new members. One growing movement for participatory democracy

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Over the past year, 65 new members across 34 countries have joined People Powered — bringing our global community to 299. Just one away from 300. Will it be you?.

They include think tanks, grassroots organizations, researchers, and public servants. What unites them is a conviction that democracy works better when people are genuinely part of it. Here's a glimpse of what they're bringing to the network.

Who joined, and why this matters

The biggest story in this year's cohort is geography. Nearly half of the new organizational members are based in Africa — 14 out of 32, spanning nine countries. That's not a coincidence. It reflects a wave of homegrown participatory democracy infrastructure taking root across the continent, led by organizations that know their communities best.

One that stood out to us: Kenyan Paraplegic Organization in Nairobi, which has been working with the county government to build disability inclusion into governance design — not as an afterthought, but as architecture. Then there's MIGHT Foundation in Uganda, which runs accountability dialogues from village to national level through music, dance, and drama. That's not a typical entry point into participatory democracy, and that's exactly why it matters.

In Latin America, the deepening continues. Red de Innovación Local in Argentina connects thousands of local government innovators, while Aceleradora de Ciudades in Mexico works hands-on with municipalities to co-design participatory solutions to urban problems. In Europe, established institutions like Demos Helsinki, Démocratie Ouverte (France), and the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy bring serious institutional heft. In Asia, organizations from Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia round out a genuinely global cohort.

On the individual side, the range is wide: We have PhD researchers and city council planners. We welcomed electoral councilors from Mexico and a senior advisor to New York City's Civic Engagement Commission. We welcomed government insiders like Katju Holkeri, who has worked on participation issues with the OECD since 1999, alongside practitioners like Dan Boyden, a legislative theatre facilitator who designs creative projects with marginalized communities in the UK. 

Youth participation and climate justice run through the cohort like a thread — in Youth Lead the Change Germany, in EmpowerHer (Tanzania), in the Youth Climate Council Global Alliance (Ghana), and in individual members organizing from Mexico to the Philippines to Nigeria.

You'll find all of them below.

Meet the 32 new organizations

Logos of new members in alphabetical order, from left to right.

  • Civic Voices Initiative Kenya — Nairobi, Kenya. Enhances public participation through digital technology and inclusive dialogue.

  • Climate Reality Project Canada — Montreal, Canada. Empowers citizens to identify and advocate for climate policies in their local contexts.

  • Demos Helsinki — Finland. Independent think tank working on democratic governance and essential societal transitions.

  • Diálogos — Guatemala City, Guatemala. Think tank promoting evidence-based solutions to regional public challenges.

  • Démocratie Ouverte — Paris, France. Supports participatory, deliberative, and co-decision-making practices across institutions and civil society.

  • EmpowerHer — Morogoro, Tanzania. Empowers women and girls as leaders in climate-resilient communities at the intersection of climate justice and gender equality.

  • Fundación iDeemos — Bogotá, Colombia. Research and consulting organization specializing in public and democratic innovation.

  • Fundeps — Córdoba, Argentina. Human rights organization promoting policies for a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

  • Girls Education Mission International — Jos, Nigeria. Empowers girls through education and fosters inclusive environments for transformative change.

  • Girls to Women Organization — Kakamega, Kenya. Women- and youth-led organization focused on participatory budgeting, policy-making, and governance.

  • Kenyan Paraplegic Organization — Nairobi, Kenya. Builds disability inclusion into governance design in partnership with county government.

  • Kulika Uganda — Kampala, Uganda. Empowers rural communities through organic agriculture, vocational training, and participatory development since 1981.

  • Leaders United for Progressive Advocacies of Davao-Soccsksargen (LUPAD) — Digos City, Philippines. Regional network of youth-led organizations focused on democratic governance and community development.

  • MIGHT Foundation — Wakiso, Uganda. Uses arts-based accountability dialogues to involve citizens in policymaking from village to national level.

  • OSVSWA — Bhubaneswar, India. Promotes volunteerism and community governance based on Gandhian philosophy since 1980.

  • PARITTRAN — Satkhira, Bangladesh. Empowers Dalit, Indigenous, and marginalized communities through rights-based development since 1993.

  • PATTIRO Banten — Serang, Indonesia. Promotes transparent, participatory, and accountable governance in Banten Province.

  • Red de Innovación Local — Pilar, Argentina. Connects and inspires thousands of local government innovators across Latin America.

  • Rede Conhecimento Social — São Paulo, Brazil. Promotes social participation through collective knowledge-building, connecting citizens and organizations.

  • Rural Smiles Foundation — Kibaale, Uganda. Promotes inclusive governance, social justice, and community empowerment.

Logo not pictured: RUDEA CIG — Buea, Cameroon. Community initiative group for rural livelihood improvement.

Meet the 33 new individual members

Photos of new members in alphabetical order, from left to right.

Aina Nomena Ratsarahasina — Madagascar, ONG Initiative Gouvernance et Développement / Fonds de Développement Local; Alba Gutierrez Fraile — Germany, Open Society Foundations; Alexander Kolokotronis — United States, Naugatuck Valley Project; Angela Di Gregorio — Italy, University of Milan; B. Shine Cho — South Korea, Konkuk University

Benjamin Solotaire — United States, NYC Civic Engagement Commission; Dan Boyden — United Kingdom, Independent (Legislative Theatre); Edwin Koga — Kenya, Amazon Theatrix Ensemble; Erika Estrada Ruz — Mexico, Instituto Electoral de la Ciudad de México; Felipe Tannus Moreira da Costa — Brazil, Prefeitura do Município de Osasco

Frankline Muthomi — United States, Independent; Gareth Mace — United Kingdom, Independent Consultant; Irene Alonso Toucido — Spain, European Alternatives; Isabel Becerril Viera — Spain, Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados (IESA-CSIC); Jesi Carson — Participedia

Jon Alexander — United Kingdom, Author of Citizens; Juanquine Carlo R. Castro — Philippines, Youth Service Philippines; Katju Holkeri — Finland, Ministry of Finance; Klára Čížková — Czech Republic, Ministry of Health; Mauricio Mejía Galván — Mexico, Independent Consultant

Ramadan Klisurica — Kosovo, URBACT; Redempto Parafina — Philippines, ANSA East Asia & Pacific; Roberto Ruz Sahrur — Mexico, Electoral and Citizen Participation Institute of Yucatan; Salisu Khalil — Nigeria, REMASAB; Sveinung Legard — Norway, Oslo Metropolitan University

Thania Paffenholz — Kenya, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies; Tim Hughes — United Kingdom, Open Government Partnership; Timothy Oluseye Morenikeji — Nigeria, City Visionnaire Initiative for Urban Development; Vinicius Zunino — Brazil; Yahaira Graxirena — United States, Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission

Not pictured: Erick Matata — Kenya, County Government of Kiambu; Patrick Okenye — Cameroon, Bamusso Council; Paul Fiou — Nigeria, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board

Be part of this community — and maybe be our 300th member

As a member, you get prioritized for People Powered programs like the Climate Democracy Accelerator — our flagship program supporting participatory climate governance in 33+ countries, with a new cohort launching soon. You're also eligible for Rising Stars, our mentorship program that pairs you with experienced practitioners for tailored 1-on-1 support (applications are open – apply to be considered in the next cycle). And you'll help shape the direction of People Powered itself as we enter the next phase of our strategic plan.

Whether you're inside government, organizing from the outside, or somewhere in between — there's a place for you here.

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