home
Participatory Card Games
Participatory card games such as Democs (Deliberative meeting of citizens) – developed by the New Economics Foundation – enable small groups of citizens to learn about and debate complex issues. The topics tend to be scientific, political or ethical in nature. The process encourages those involved to express a preferred policy option following their deliberations.
Citizen Reporting
Citizen or social reporting involves individuals in real time reporting on current affairs, or from specific events such as conferences and workshops. It is strongly focused on social media and other online tools as mechanisms for transmitting and collating photos, videos and comments.
Consensus Conference
Consensus conferences are used to inform and consult members of the public on topics that are complex, controversial, or expert dominated – for example issues around emerging science and technology. They enable panels of citizens to question expert witnesses in a similar way to citizens juries, with the difference being that they are held in public and open to the media.
Local and Global Civic Innovation Tools
Top Tips For Civic Innovation
Identify champions
It can really help you to engage with a decision maker if you can identify and build a relationship with a 'champion'.
Be clear about who you want to engage with and why
There are many democratic institutions in Northern Ireland (local Councils, local and regional service providers, government departments), and therefore many tiers of decision making.
Get Help
There are many voluntary and statutory organisations which can provide help and support as you try to understand more about the decision-making processes that affect your life, and as you work to engage more with them.