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Crowd Wise
Crowd Wise is a tool developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) as a participative method for taking shared decisions – working towards an agreed conclusion rather than divergent opinions. The process can be used for a wide range of issues or decisions, including setting policy priorities, allocating budgets, or developing a consultation response. The structured nature of the process encourages constructive conversation rather than polarisation.
Digital Fact Checking Platforms
Fact checking is a process of scrutinising assertions of fact, either in written texts or verbal statements. The rise in open data and advances in digital technology increasingly enable members of the public to access fact checking tools and information, often through specialist organisations focused on specific countries or regions.
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.
Local and Global Civic Innovation Tools
Top Tips For Civic Innovation
Build numbers – if you have to!
You don’t have to involve everyone in every issue all the time. But for some issues, building a critical mass and getting as many people engaged as possible is essential.
Bring them to you
Equally, it is important for decision makers to see and get a feel for your community, your group and your issues.
Be Persistent!
Engaging successfully with decision-makers involves building relationships and takes time. It will often be on the third or fourth attempt that a breakthrough happens.