5/2025 Vienna

Welcome, resident of Vienna!

If you’re here, it’s because you received a special invitation in your letterbox, you have read our call for registrations in the municipal magazine or came across it online to join the Citizens' Assembly session of the Democratic Odyssey in Vienna. This invitation is offering you the chance to participate in a transformative experience.

The Democratic Odyssey (Link esterna) is a crowdsourced campaign advocating for a permanent Peoples’ Assembly for Europe as a way of complementing Europe’s representative democracies. Inspired by ancient Greek citizens' assemblies and leveraging modern participatory practices, this initiative links grassroots democratic innovation with institutionalised citizens’ engagement. To make the case for this long-term goal, we embarked on a journey with a pilot Assembly, to engage in multilingual, transnational deliberations, traveling to different European cities.

Our journey began in Athens, where citizens gathered to address the challenges of democratic crisis management. From there, discussions continued online, building bridges to our next onsite assembly in Florence, where discussions focused on policy proposals. Now, the next destination is Vienna (23-25 of May). Each step has brought us closer to achieving our overarching goal: to demonstrate to the European Commission that establishing a Permanent Peoples' Assembly for Europe is both possible and necessary.

The members of the Assembly represent a diverse range of backgrounds—transnational, local, and borderless. They are randomly selected from 22 countries from across Europe including EU candidate countries, and locally from the cities the Assembly visits, including migrants and refugees. Alumni from previous assemblies are also included, as well as civil society actors to amplify the voices of individuals, movements, and groups that often lack representation in traditional institutions, all through random selection from open registrations. Additionally, we sought to engage global citizens to address their invisibility in society and provide them with a space to be heard.

This ambitious vision aims to place citizens at the very core of European decision-making, ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but also actively shape policies and strategies. By participating in the Vienna Assembly, you will contribute to proving that ordinary citizens, when given the right tools and space, can play a central role in guiding Europe through its challenges and opportunities.

The Democratic Odyssey is made possible by the support of the CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values) Programme of the European Union, and a network of partners committed to fostering inclusivity and democratic innovation. In Vienna, we are proud to collaborate with the European Capital of Democracy, the Festwochen, the Municipality of Vienna and the Central European University.

REGISTER NOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIENNA ASSEMBLY (Link esterna)

(Link esterna)

Please note that registrations will be processed in accordance with data protection regulations in force at European Alternatives  (Link esterna)

FAQs

What Are Citizens' Assemblies?

Citizens' Assemblies bring together people from all walks of life to discuss pressing issues and find solutions that reflect the collective will. Participants engage in guided discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities to explore ideas, debate priorities, and propose recommendations.

This democratic approach ensures everyone’s voice matters. It’s about creating solutions with citizens, not just for citizens.

Who can participate and why?

Any resident of Vienna over 18 years old is welcome to join. We aim to create a diverse group representing all segments of the community.

By joining the assembly, you’ll:

• Contribute to shaping policies that affect your community and Europe.
• Learn about and practice collaborative decision-making.
• Connect with a variety of individuals and organizations from across Europe, each offering unique perspectives.
• Be part of a groundbreaking movement to strengthen democracy.

How are participants selected for a citizens' assembly?

Participants of a citizens' assembly, like the ones in the Democratic Odyssey, are typically selected through a random drawing process to ensure a representative mix of the population. This method is designed to reflect the demographic diversity of the area, such as age, gender, socio-economic background, and cultural perspective. 

After you register to participate in the Vienna Citizens' Assembly, we will select 50 individuals from the total registrations to receive the final invitation to the assembly.

What to Expect at the Vienna Assembly?

•  Dynamic Discussions: Join small groups led by skilled facilitators to share your perspectives.
•  Workshops: Dive deeper into the topic of the assembly
•  Artistic Engagement: Experience creative activities that inspire and connect.
•  Impactful Outcomes: Your contributions will be documented and shared with policymakers and communities across Europe.

Incentives for Participation

To make your participation easier, we provide:

• A 50€ per diem per day for all participants to cover meals and expenses. This is a total of 100€ for attending the two days of the assembly.
• Accessibility support, including interpretation in English and German
• Childcare services upon request.

What Happens After the Assembly?

Your contributions will help shape recommendations for policymakers at local, national, and European levels. The insights gathered in Vienna will connect with discussions from Athens, Florence, and the online assemblies, forming a powerful vision for Europe’s future.

A detailed report summarizing the assembly’s outcomes will be shared with participants, the public, and decision-makers.

Do I need prior knowledge to participate?

No, you don’t need any prior knowledge! The Democratic Odyssey is designed for everyone, and we’ll provide all the materials and support you need. Your personal experiences and perspectives are what matter most. Facilitators and experts will guide you through the discussions, ensuring you can contribute meaningfully, regardless of your background.

I am unsure if I can attend each day of the Assembly. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can still apply. Please indicate your availability in the registration form, and we’ll work to accommodate you as much as possible.

Why is demographic information collected?

Demographic information helps ensure a diverse, representative group of participants, reflecting the community’s range of experiences and perspectives

If I am not chosen for the Assembly, can I still be involved?

Yes! If you'd like to stay engaged, please sign up here (Link esterna) to become a member of our Constituent Network. You will be receiving updates and invitations to get involved in various ways, such as attending future events and contributing to ongoing discussions online.