Deliberation that leads to decisions.
A civic assembly is a randomly selected, demographically representative group of residents who learn about an issue, weigh the trade-offs together, and hand decision-makers recommendations they commit to hearing.
Policymakers are used to hearing from the loudest voices. An assembly brings in the rest.
More than 600 assemblies worldwide have driven real government action. Participants are chosen by civic lottery so the room looks like the community — not just the people who always show up. They hear balanced information, deliberate at small facilitated tables, and produce recommendations leaders can act on.
It is nonpartisan by design, and it works because ordinary people, given good information and time, make thoughtful decisions.
How a civic assembly works
Four steps, from the question your community faces to the recommendations that follow.
Frame the question
We work with the government partner to write a question the public can actually answer, and that leaders commit to hearing.
Recruit by lottery
Participants are selected by lottery to create a panel that reflects the community’s demographics. Everyone is eligible to register.
Learn and deliberate
Participants learn the basics of an issue, weigh the pros and cons of proposals, and work through them at small facilitated tables.
Recommend and act
The assembly delivers recommendations to decision-makers — and we help track what happens next.
What you get
An end-to-end process, run by our team, with everything your council or agency needs to act with confidence.
✓Process design tailored to your decision and timeline
✓Representative recruitment by civic lottery
✓Neutral briefing materials reviewed by subject-matter experts
✓Trained facilitators for every small group
✓A published report of recommendations for your council or agency
Ready to bring an assembly to your community?
Six Saturdays or six months — we’ll design a process that fits your decision.