Are you looking for support to launch or improve a participatory programme to create new policies? Apply now to the accelerator programmes for free training, one-to-one mentoring and peer support!

Applications for the Democracy Accelerator climate (CDA) and the Democratic Innovation Accelerator (DIA) are now open. Both programmes focus on strengthening the capacity of government and local organizations of civil society to ensure equitable public participation in a range of important policy-making issues, such as health, education, climate, etc.

Programmes

• Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA)
  • People Powered searches for government and corporate leaders civil to train a new cohort of innovators interested in launching programmes to shape climate policy in areas such as clean transport, renewable energy, decarbonisation and energy-efficient homes, air pollution, agro-ecology and more.
  • To be selected for this programme, applicants must be government institutions, civil society organisations or non-governmental organisations. The programme is open to applicants from all over the world, with space for 15 participants per cohort.
  • The Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA) is a six-month, practice-focused training and support programme that prepares members to plan and implement an inclusive and participatory process for a just climate transition. Participants will develop a project to implement a participatory climate-focused programme that responds to the needs and voices of local communities. Successful applicants will have access to a dedicated mentor to guide the development of their programme, as well as :
    • Step-by-step resources such as the Participation Guide, the interactive online tool for designing participatory programmes.
    • Practice-oriented live sessions and online courses.
    • An implementation grant of USD 10,000.
    • The opportunity to apply for an additional prize of USD 20,000 for the best project developed by programme participants.
  • Participants' expectations
    • Draw up an action plan (project) to be implemented, with the support of programme resources.
    • Mobilise internal and external stakeholders to draw up an action plan.
    • Attend and take part in company activities and discussions. training and peer mentoring and support.
    • Report on the progress of the project through surveys and learning reports
  • Eligibility
    • Government officials, staff members and policy-makers who wish to launch a participatory programme to make fair decisions on climate. Please note that government institutions applying must have a partnership with a civil society organisation or non-governmental organisation, as the grant recipient must be a non-governmental entity.
    • Staff members of civil society organisations and/or climate advocates who wish to implement a participatory climate programme in partnership with a government institution. Note: Applicant civil society organisations must work in partnership with a government institution, as they are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the action plan.
    • Organisations must nominate a lead participant with professional skills in at least one of the following languages: English, French, Portuguese or Spanish. Applications from organisations or governments based in G20 countries are encouraged, particularly from Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia. Members of the Partnership for Open Government or People Powered Government will be given priority.
    • People Powered cannot give funding to voluntary groups or civil society organisations that have recently been set up through this programme. To receive funding, your organisation must:
      • Demonstrate at least one full year of operations and successful fundraising to support these operations before being shortlisted for the programme.
      • Have paid staff and a board of directors or advisory committee.
      • Be registered as a non-profit organisation in the country of operation.
• Democratic Innovation Accelerator (DIA)
  • Would you like to launch or improve democratic innovations in Europe and beyond? The first Democratic Innovation Accelerator (DIA) will select 40 participants who will receive free capacity-building support to launch or improve participatory programmes in European Union (EU) and Horizon Europe countries.
  • DIA is a practice-based training and support programme designed to strengthen democratic processes across Europe. The accelerator is part of the Nets4Dem project and is run by People Powered and Coglobal.
  • For six months, a cohort of 40 civil society and government organisations will develop and implement an action plan for a democratic innovation that strengthens public participation in policy-making and governance. Participants will have free access to :
    • A dedicated mentor to help draw up the action plan.
    • Step-by-step resources such as the Participation Guide, the interactive online tool for designing participatory programmes.
    • Practice-oriented live sessions and online courses.
    • International peer learning opportunities.
  • Participants' expectations
    • Draw up an action plan (project) to be implemented, with the support of programme resources.
    • Mobilise internal and external stakeholders to draw up an action plan.
    • Attend and participate in training, mentoring and peer support activities and discussions.
    • Report on the progress of the project through surveys and learning reports.
  • Eligibility
    • Staff members of civil society organisations or non-governmental institutions such as schools, universities or community organisations. Note: They encourage partnership with a government institution to facilitate the implementation of the action plan.
    • Government representatives, staff and policy makers who wish to launch or improve an innovative participatory programme. Note: They encourage partnership with a civil society organisation or non-governmental organisation to build support for the programme in the community.
    • Organisations must nominate a lead participant who has a professional command of English. To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be based in one of the 27 EU Member States or Horizon Europe countries (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom).

For more information, please visit People Powered.