NETWORK OF PARTICIPATORY LOCAL AUTHORITIES LAUNCHES DEMOCRATIC INNOVATION ACADEMY

The initiative will take place on 24 September 2026 and aims to support local authorities in designing new participatory practices.

The Network of Participatory Local Authorities (RAP) will promote the Democratic Innovation Academy on 25 September 2026, in Cascais. The initiative is included in the 2026–2027 Activity Plan, under Axis 2, dedicated to capacity-building and the qualification of local teams.

The Academy aims to create a space for meeting, learning, experimentation and recognition of public participation practices, aimed at RAP member local authorities. More than a conventional training event, it is designed as an applied working space in which participating local authorities will be invited to design or further develop a new participatory practice to be implemented in their territories.

The initiative will be structured around three main moments. The first will be dedicated to the presentation and distribution of the latest methodological resources developed by RAP, namely the Citizens’ Assemblies Guide, the Participation Card Deck, the Participation Canvas and the Idea Explorer Kit.

The second moment will focus on the Participatory Process Design Lab, in which each local authority will be challenged to work on a practice, initiative or challenge it wishes to develop in its territory. With the support of the facilitation team, participants will be able to use the Participation Canvas, the Participation Card Deck and the other available resources, with the aim of structuring an initial proposal for a participatory process.

The Academy will conclude with the session dedicated to the 9th edition of the RAP Good Practices in Participation Award, including the presentation of this edition, the announcement of the results and the award ceremony for the distinguished practices.

With this initiative, RAP seeks to strengthen its role as a space for capacity-building, democratic innovation and cooperation between territories, promoting the practical use of public participation tools and encouraging peer learning among its members.

Participating local authorities are invited to prepare their participation in advance by identifying the practice, initiative or challenge they wish to work on during the Lab. Each local authority is encouraged to be represented by at least two people, in order to ensure a greater diversity of perspectives, stronger working capacity and better conditions for continuity after the Academy.

Registration is free but mandatory for RAP members and is limited to the capacity of the venue. The organisation will guarantee the first 40 registrations, in order of submission of the form.