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Civil Society Engagement in the Democratic Odyssey
In many models of deliberative democracy, civil society organisations (CSOs) are excluded from participation based on concerns about neutrality or fears that organised actors might introduce bias and disrupt the ‘purity’ of citizen input. But this perspective misses the point. It overlooks the structural inequalities that shape who gets to speak, who feels confident to participate, and whose knowledge is seen as legitimate. CSOs are often the ones working most closely with communities who are deeply affected by political decisions yet rarely invited into political spaces.
In the Democratic Odyssey we recognise CSOs as essential to building truly inclusive and transformative democratic spaces. They bring grounded, real-world knowledge, act as advocates for underrepresented voices, and help dismantle the barriers that prevent many from engaging in civic life.
That’s why, in our selection methodology, we’ve made the deliberate choice to include CSOs as full members of our assemblies. This decision is also a conscious challenge to the elitism that too often accompanies institutional processes and academic knowledge production. We believe that democracy should not be reserved for those who already hold access, confidence, or credentials. By involving CSOs, we help to ground deliberation in complexity, widen the circle of participation, and open space for new forms of collective imagination.
Below is a list of the CSOs that have joined us in our assemblies and the amazing work they do, as well as an insight into our joint events.
Florence Assembly moment
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdWZHWp4DR/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIMAMM-MgF2/
Europiamo
Europiamo is a community of young people and organizations sharing a vision: the creation of a more accessible, participatory and sustainable Europe . The mission of our network is to connect the new generations to growth opportunities in Europe, curating spaces for participation and representing the youth association sector, the Erasmus+ program and the European Solidarity Corps in Italy.
Associazione Italiana per la Partecipazione Pubblica AIP2 APS
The Italian Association for Public Participation is a non-profit social promotion association founded in 2011. The purpose of the association is to promote and improve the practice of public participation and deliberative democracy by individuals, collectives and institutions in relation to issues of public interest at different levels of government (local, regional, national). In particular, the Association aims to create a community of practice among all those - professionals, academics, administrators, public officials, citizens - who practice participation and believe that citizen involvement is an essential requirement for the revitalization of representative democracy.
Place Network
PLACE champions migrant-led innovation: since 2016, we offer transformative and innovative learning experiences to newcomers and host societies, while also giving newcomers space for self-determination to find their version of power.
Shifting lab
https://www.shiftinglab.com/en/shifting-lab-drive-system-change-eng/
Shifting Lab applies the systemic approach to develop and support inclusive and sustainable cultural and socio-economic models, creating virtuous interactions and networks able to steer towards change.
Immagina Greve, movimento politico
https://www.facebook.com/people/Immagina-Greve-nelle-tue-mani/61557726496748/
Political project and council group
Erasmus Student Network
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is one of the biggest student associations in Europe. It was born on the 16th October 1989 and legally registered in 1990 for supporting and developing student exchange.
One hour for Europe
https://www.onehourforeurope.it/
One Hour for Europe was born in May 2019 as a street activity during the #stavoltavoto campaign, promoted by the European Parliament Offices. In the following months, after the campaign ended, the team of organizers grew to become what is now a pan-European community that has more than 250 volunteers around the European Union.
Europa Porta Europa
We are an informal network of different Italian youth organizations of a more or less large national nature, who meet to discuss, write projects and propose latent needs of young people to political decision makers.
Gioventù Federalista Europea
https://giovanifederalisti.eu/
The GFE was born in 1951 as a youth organization linked to the European Federalist Movement founded in 1943 by Altiero Spinelli . Our aim is to create the necessary consensus, within the institutions, civil society and public opinion, for the creation of a Federal Europe based on the principles of democracy, solidarity, subsidiarity and the Rule of Law and equipped with common institutions that can exercise true transnational sovereignty within European borders.
Eumans
EUMANS is a pan european movement of citizens for democracy and sustainability Our movement is grounded in the belief that citizens’ participation in shaping transnational, national and local policies can not and should not be constrained to ‘election days’.While political parties focus on re-election, we witness the rise of authoritarian regimes, the climate crisis being ignored, and fundamental rights being denied. The ones who suffer the most are people and the common good. It’s time to change!
Casa delle donne Firenze
https://casadelledonnefirenze.it/
Five years of more or less informal meetings, twenty associations involved, the relationship with the public body and with other entities that at regional and national level deal with the promotion of women's rights and the construction of social networks for the creation of a welcoming, safe, empathetic community. The Casa delle Donne in Florence was born in via delle Vecchie Carceri 8 in the Murate complex, a place of important synergies (the Informadonna and the Informagiovani are located here as well as the Sustainability Office, Europedirect, the Murate Idea Park and the MUrate Art District, the Literary Café and the JFK Foundation).
Athens Assembly moment
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Climate Action Network Europe
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. We are a unique network, in which environmental and development organisations work together to issue joint lobby campaigns and maximise their impact. With over 200 member organisations active in 40 European countries, representing over 1,700 NGOs and more than 40 million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.
ECOLISE
ECOLISE is the European Network for Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability. Since 2014, we have been supporting community-led initiatives, their networks and partners to catalyse systemic transformation within and across society.
CoHab Athens
CoHab Athens is an open group, an exchange platform for urban researchers, activists and anyone interested in claiming housing as a right and exploring alternative housing models through self-management and collective ownership.
Citizen's Union Paremvassi
https://koinoniapoliton.gr/en/
The Citizens’ Union PAREMVASSI, a non-profit, non-partisan, independent citizens' association aimed at strengthening civil society in Greece and Europe, was founded in 1995 and is one of the longest-running citizens' organizations with continuous operation in Greece. The first President of PAREMVASSI was Loukas Tsoukalis, and from 1999, Nikos Mouzelis, with Pericles Vassilopoulos serving as Vice-President. The first two Ombudsmen of Greece, Nikiforos Diamantouros and Giorgos Kaminis, were members of PAREMVASSI. The central areas of action of the Union were as follows: Active Citizens – Empowerment of Civil Society, Good Governance, Public Interest, and Rights for All.
Greek Forum of Migrants
https://www.migrant.gr/cgi-bin/pages/index.pl?arlang=English&type=index
The Greek Forum of Migrants (GFM) is a network of migrant organizations and communities in Greece. It was founded in September 2002, it functions as a union - body, and its members today numbers more than 40 Communities - Organizations.
EU YOUTH HUB
https://www.euyouthhub.eu/who-we-are/
The EU Youth Hub is a voluntary group of young Europeans that operates as a regular deliberation centre on European issues and the European Union (EU), with the aim of familiarising young people with consultation processes and enhancing their participation in public debate. The group was created in September 2021 in the context of the “Ariane Condellis” European Programme of ELIAMEP.
University of Pireaus Model United Nations Society - Ομάδα Προσομοιώσεων Πανεπιστημίου Πειραιώς
https://www.facebook.com/unipi.mun/?fref=ts
The MUN Student Team of the University of Piraeus is responsible for the organization and preparation of student missions to Model United Nations and simulations of European Institutions (e.g. European Parliament). Our organization was established in 2010 and continues its long and successful course to this day, being the only student MUN Team at a Greek University with systematic action.
Youthmakers Hub
As an organization, we embrace the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs) as our framework. With a specific focus on SDG 4 (Quality Education)and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), we are fully committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all, as well as strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development.
Hellenic Youth Participation
https://hellenicyouthparticipation.com/
Hellenic Youth Participation is a pioneering education and empowerment organization that connects citizens at local, national and international levels.
ΝΕΟΝ - Νέα Εναλλακτική Οργάνωση Νέων
https://www.instagram.com/_neon_project/
New Alternative Youth Organization for Freedom
Demos Institute Greece
https://www.facebook.com/p/Demos-Center-61556106526718/
The Demos Center strengthens democracy by promoting active citizenship. We foster an inclusive society in discussing the best solutions to common problems. These values are reflected in our programs.
Ρητορικός Όμιλος Νομικής Σχολής Αθηνών
https://www.athenslawdebate.gr/
A group of students open to all. A community active in promoting rhetoric.
