Bringing citizens’ voices to the decision-making table
An independent federation advancing a deliberative democratic culture
Who we are
FIDE is a network of leading democratic innovators addressing the challenges of our time. As a nonpartisan, issue-neutral organization, we help governments and policymakers involve everyday people in shaping public choices.
Working across Europe and North America, we bridge international expertise and local practice. We work to uphold the integrity, quality, and impact of deliberative processes through independent, non-commercial advice.
Our democratic vision
We believe that a randomly selected group of citizens can reach informed judgments and propose meaningful policy recommendations.
When given the time, authority and information, everyday people ask tough questions, sidestep party lines, and deliver sensible answers.
Citizens’ Assemblies bring these principles to life. They are purpose-built spaces that tap into our collective intelligence to navigate complexity and find common ground.
Free from short-term pressures and entrenched divisions, they create the conditions for people to make inclusive, balanced, and durable decisions on the issues that matter most.
WE TRAIN
Training is about building both skills and community. We bring together democratic innovators, practitioners, and policymakers to learn side by side and exchange experience. Guided by seasoned experts and grounded in real-world cases, our programs provide the tools and methods needed to design and deliver high-quality deliberative processes.
WE DESIGN
Legitimacy is born from design: who is in the room, how decisions are made, and how accountability is exercised. We harness the experience of our network to offer independent and non-commercial advice on process design.
From the early stages of conceptualization through to delivery, we draw from our extensive experience to translate previous into consequential advice.
WE EVALUATE
We observe and document deliberative processes to capture key lessons and identify emerging trends. By connecting diverse expertise and practice, we uncover both gaps and frontrunning approaches that can strengthen deliberative democracy. Through an evidence-based approach, we offer policymakers and practitioners actionable recommendations and practical guides.
EVALUATE
DESIGN
TRAIN
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