This case study is part of a series supporting the toolkit for communicators on citizen participation. Read the full toolkit for communicators supporting citizen participation. The toolkit was created by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Innovative, Digital and Open Governance (INDIGO) Division in collaboration with UK Government Communications.
Digital platforms and civic technologies are increasingly central to enhancing citizen participation by enabling more accessible, transparent and inclusive engagement. These tools support a range of activities from online voting and consultations to collaborative decision-making, allowing governments to connect with communities more effectively. Examples from the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal demonstrate how these platforms can be used to foster meaningful dialogue and co-creation between citizens and policymakers.
The Netherlands
The OpenStad platform is an open-source tool that helps cities boost community engagement through online voting, consultations and participatory budgeting. Recently, the city of Enschede piloted a new version integrated into the official government website, making citizen participation a seamless part of government communication and engagement.
Spain
Initially developed by the Municipality of Barcelona, Decidim is an open-source and highly customisable software. It allows governments, organisations and communities to tailor their digital platform for participation when facilitating consultations, debates, budget planning and collaborative proposals.
Portugal
Participa.gov is a digital platform deployed by the government to allow citizens to submit ideas, share opinions and participate in decision-making processes.