Creating compelling narratives for democracy
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 23rd July 2025
A campaign has been launched to develop new narratives around democracy, participation, and decision-making.
Organised under the Global Democracy Coalition and co-ordinated by People Powered, 'The Democracy Narratives Campaign’ aims to consider ways to increase public support for, and engagement in, democracy.
"At a time when democracy is being questioned around the world, we see an urgent need to shift how we communicate," the campaign says.
Much of the existing framing around democracy is focused on elections, and in 2024 research found that one in three people lived in a country where the quality of elections has declined - as well as participation in them.
By developing a broader participative democracy, with meaningful community-led decision-making, we can counter this trend and increase civic engagement and wider support for democratic activity.
The campaign will work to bring together these new narratives and framing strategies, develop more strategic communications approaches, and build support and resources to test at different levels.
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