Democratic Society

The Democratic Society (Demsoc) is a non-profit organization that has been working since 2006 to strengthen and modernize democracy in the 21st century. With offices in Brussels, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Pisa, Demsoc is committed to involving citizens in the decision-making processes that affect their living conditions.

The main mission of Demsoc is to promote more and better democracy by giving people and institutions the opportunity and trust to participate together. Demsoc supports governments, parliaments, and other organizations in being transparent, open, and participatory[2].

The organization is characterized by the values of openness, fairness, internationality, equality, and participation. These values guide all activities and decisions of Demsoc and create a foundation for an inclusive and participatory democracy[3].

Demsoc focuses on several key areas:

• Practical Projects and Research: Demsoc develops and implements participatory projects that strengthen collaboration between citizens and public services. Examples include the Innovation in Democracy Project (IiDP) and Participatory Budgeting (PB) in Scotland and the Netherlands[2][4].

• Education and Resources: The organization produces and publishes resources that promote learning and effective participation. These include podcasts, webinars, and guides that are accessible on the Demsoc website and YouTube channel[2].

• Networking and Partnerships: Demsoc collaborates with a variety of partner organizations, including the European Commission, the UK Government Digital Service, UNDP, and the Open Society Foundations. These partnerships enable the advancement of democratic innovations at local, national, and international levels[2][4].

A central concern of Demsoc is to integrate democratic processes into the context of global challenges such as climate change. The organization views climate change as a democratic and not just a technocratic challenge and therefore works on projects that involve citizens in decision-making to develop sustainable solutions[4].

Demsoc is also engaged in local democracy projects, such as the "Festival of Participation" in Messina, Italy, and supports the introduction of participatory budgeting processes in various regions[2].

Demsoc is a membership organization that brings together citizens of all political beliefs to promote an open, informed, and participatory democracy. There are two types of membership: Supporter Member and Full Member. Members gain access to resources, priority bookings for events, and regular briefings on the work of Demsoc[1][5].

Through its members and partners, Demsoc creates a dynamic and connected community committed to strengthening democracy in Europe and beyond.

• 1 - https://www.demsoc.org/who
• 2 - https://participedia.net/organization/6302
• 3 - https://www.demsoc.org
• 4 - https://www.demsoc.org/what
• 5 - https://www.demsoc.org/membership