Call for participation

Advancing Democratic Innovation through Digital Platforms

The Perycles Research Consortium invites municipalities, cooperatives, and local community organizations to participate in a European Union-funded research initiative focused on enhancing democratic engagement through digital means.

About the Project

Perycles is a multidisciplinary research consortium funded by the European Union, dedicated to investigating how digital platforms can support democratic deliberation and decision-making. Our work is grounded in the most rigorous scientific methodologies, combining empirical research with real-world experimentation.

Purpose of the Call

We are seeking partners to collaborate in pilot participation projects that will both contribute to our research and offer communities a meaningful opportunity to engage in democratic processes using advanced digital tools.

What We Offer

Participating institutions will receive:

• Access to a proven digital deliberation platform, capable of supporting thousands of participants and already successfully deployed in multiple contexts.
• Comprehensive technical support, including installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance.
• Expert guidance in designing participation processes, tailored to your specific context and goals.
• Assistance in participant onboarding and facilitation, ensuring a smooth and inclusive experience.
• A limited budget for outreach – to help you engage participants effectively.

What We Expect

We are looking for partners who can:

• Provide a concrete use case for digital participation (e.g., policy consultation, urban planning, cooperative decision-making).
• Take responsibility for recruiting and mobilizing participants within their community or organization.
• Collaborate with our research team in evaluating the process and outcomes.

Expression of Interest

We are currently accepting expressions of interest from potential partners. If your institution is committed to democratic innovation and would like to explore the potential of digital participation, we encourage you to get in touch.

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Name *

First

Last

Email *

Institution described purposes

Institution Overview *

Briefly describe your municipality, cooperative, or local community organization, including size and main goals.

Debate Topic *

What issue(s) will your members debate on our platform?

Do you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes described below? *

• I consent

The information you provide will be used solely to contact you regarding this project and to internally evaluate whether your institution is a suitable match for collaboration. Your data will be stored securely and will be deleted immediately after a decision about collaboration has been made. Your information will not be shared with third parties and will only be accessed by the project team for the purposes stated above. You have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your data at any time. To exercise these rights, please contact us at office.maes@itz.kit.edu.

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Together, we can shape the future of democracy—scientifically, inclusively, and digitally.