Based on previous literature review, in YouthDecide 2040 we selected a series of democratic innovations that we call “Democratic seeds”. Democratic innovations are new methods, beyond traditional elections and consultations, that promote more effective, inclusive, and deliberative citizen participation in decision-making processes. Examples include citizens’ assemblies and deliberative polls, where randomly selected citizens learn and deliberate on issues before offering recommendations.
Other innovations include participatory budgeting, social auditing, and digital platforms for participation. In YouthDecide 2040, these Democratic seeds are used and explored during the workshops. They serve as inspiration and practical tools for participants to imagine, test, and propose new ways of strengthening democracy by improving representation, governance, and citizen engagement, especially at the local level.