Citizens Assembly for Northern Ireland

A civil society initiative to put people at the heart of decision making on a major policy issue

This case study outlines the design and delivery of the Citizens’ Assembly for Northern Ireland - a democratic innovation that puts people at the heart of decision making. 

The Citizens’ Assembly for Northern Ireland pilot was established to demonstrate the role that the people of Northern Ireland can play in addressing contested issues in the region. It met over two weekends in October/November 2018, bringing together a representative group of 75 citizens from across Northern Ireland to consider how the social care system for older people should be reformed to be fit for the future.