Citizens' assemblies for “dummies”

Democratic innovation

You have heard the term before. Maybe in the news, maybe in a report, maybe from a colleague. “Citizens’ assembly”. It sounds serious. Perhaps a little abstract. But what actually happens inside one? Who takes part? And why does it matter?

This article breaks it down, no jargon, no prior knowledge required. 

What is a citizens’ assembly? 

A citizens’ assembly is a group of ordinary people, randomly selected to reflect the diversity of a population, who come together to learn about, discuss, and make recommendations on a specific issue. Think of it like jury duty, but for democracy.

Why does it exist? 

Elections happen every few years. But democracy shouldn’t go to sleep in between. Many citizens feel they have little influence over decisions that affect their daily lives. Trust in institutions is low. Voter turnout is declining. Citizens’ assemblies are one response to this democratic fatigue: they give real people power to shape real decisions, between elections, not just during them. 

How does it work? 

The process typically unfolds in three phases: 

1. Learn: Participants spend time building a shared knowledge base. Experts, researchers, and practitioners present different perspectives on the issue. Participants ask questions, challenge assumptions, and dig into complexity before forming opinions. 

2. Deliberate: Working in small groups that mix different backgrounds, languages, and perspectives, participants discuss the issue in depth. They map the present, imagine possible futures, and work together to chart a path forward. Facilitators guide the process: setting a tone of openness and mutual listening, using practical tools like post-its, anonymous voting, and rotating groups to make sure every voice counts. 

3. Recommend: The group produces concrete, specific recommendations that are formally transmitted to decision-makers: parliamentarians, governments, local authorities, or the leadership of the organisation that commissioned the assembly. This is the moment the work becomes political.

How can I participate? 

Participants are selected by sortition, a random selection,  similar to a lottery. This is intentional: it ensures the assembly reflects the real diversity of society, not just those who are already politically engaged. If you are selected, you can say yes. And if any assembly is happening you can also follow its work, attend public sessions, or engage with its recommendations once they are published and pressure the organizers to follow this up. 

One thing to keep in mind

A citizens’ assembly is only as good as its design, and the political will behind it. History has shown that even well-run processes can fall flat if organizers don’t follow through on the recommendations. This process matters. But so does what comes after.