Good examples of citizens' assemblies

Citizens' assemblies have multiple effects. Examples show how they influence political decisions, promote consensus, resolve conflicts, increase satisfaction with democracy and activate people. 

Forum against Fakes

In 2024, the “Forum against Fakes” had drawn up recommendations setting out specific measures to combat disinformation. By February 2026, 15 proposals put forward by members of the public had been implemented in full or in part. More

 

© Bertelsmann Stiftung / Sebastian Pfütze

Citizens’ Assembly on Research

With one exception, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has incorporated all the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Research, held in 2022, into its research participation strategy. More

 

© Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

Citizens' Assembly on Democracy

Participants in the 2019 Citizens’ Assembly on Democracy share their experiences of the mini-public in a video. Mehr...

 

Citizens' Forum G8/G9

Following a Citizens' Forum, the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament passed a major education reform in January 2025, introducing numerous changes to the school system. More

 

© Staatsministerium Baden-Württemberg / Michael Wengler

Permanent Citizens' Assembly

Aachen is the first German local authority to have a permanent Citizens’ Assembly. This means that the mini-publics there have a legal basis and a permanent organisational structure. Each year, newly selected residents discuss a topical issue. More

 

© Stadt Aachen

Citizens’ Jury on “The Future Use of the Bürgerspital Site”

In Amberg, in the Upper Palatinate, a Citizens’ Jury developed a plan in 2022 for the development of the Bürgerspital site. The recommendations made by the mini-public are now being implemented. More

 

Climate Forums: "Bonn4Future – We for the Climate"

In the federal city of Bonn, the “Bonn4Future – We for the Climate” climate forums drew up recommendations in 2022 which have been incorporated into the city’s climate plan. More

 

© Christoph Schnüll copyleft Bonn im Wandel

Citizens’ Jury “Redesigning Public Services in Meinersen”

In the Meinersen joint municipality, all the recommendations made by a Citizens’ Jury regarding municipal services have been implemented. The process has convinced politicians and the administration of the added value of mini-publics. More

 

Youth Council

In Brandis, Saxony, a youth advisory council was established following a recommendation made by a Youth Council in 2022 on the subject of youth participation. More

 

© Es geht LOS

Citizens’ Jury “Shaping participation together”

In 2025, the Citizens’ Jury "Shaping Participation Together" examined ways of improving public participation in Moers. The mini-public gave rise to an association which is driving this issue forward using its own resources. More

 

© pst / Stadt Moers

Bördehalle Citizens’ Jury

A study on the Bördehalle Citizens’ Jury in Welver, Westphalia, shows that mini-publics can help to increase the level of satisfaction with democracy amongst the population as a whole. More

 

© Initiative Offene Gesellschaft
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