Gary Austin (circleindigo)
@circleindigo.bsky.social
📤 532
📥 1016
📝 51
Professional Facilitator. Engagement Lead - Training at Involve.org.uk
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Involve
24 days ago
💭 Scaling deliberative democracy has to be about more than numbers. 🤔 Many practitioners and researchers working in democratic innovation have been thinking hard about what scaling really means, and how we can grow participation without losing depth, trust, or connection... 🧵 👇
1
2
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
24 days ago
A permanent citizens' assembly has been in place in
@stadtaachen.bsky.social
since 2022. Following three mini-publics on various topics, a change to the rules of procedure has now been decided.
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/new-...
#CitizensAssembly
0
2
2
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
International IDEA
27 days ago
When protests go viral, democracy goes digital. Democracy Assessment Intern Bjorn Carlson sits down with Bulgarian activists Malena Malcheva and Valeria Berkova to unpack how Gen Z is turning social media into a tool for democratic participation. Read more:
bit.ly/49XpxTB
loading . . .
Democracy Goes Digital: Social Media and Bulgaria’s Gen Z Protests
Standing in her closet, folding clothes and speaking into a spatula suspended from the ceiling as a prop microphone, Bulgarian influencer and self-declared “Gen Z Machiavellian” Flora Stratieva (@flor...
http://bit.ly/49XpxTB
0
1
2
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Martin Gilbraith
27 days ago
Just one week more to enjoy 10% off any 2026
@ica-uk.bsky.social
ToP
#facilitation
training in this
#JanuarySale
- register now!
add a skeleton here at some point
0
3
3
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
ICA:UK
27 days ago
Just one week more to enjoy 10% off any of our 2026 ToP
#facilitation
training in this
#JanuarySale
- register now!
add a skeleton here at some point
0
3
3
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Peter Stefanovic
about 1 month ago
🚨BOOM!! 💥 YOU DID IT!!! The Petition for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party has hit 100,000 signatures! NOW LETS HAVE A DATE FOR A DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT Cc @HoCpetitions
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
47
1069
288
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Peter Stefanovic
about 1 month ago
🚨Now closing on 93,000 signatures! The Petition calling for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party is getting so close to the 100,000 needed. Let’s keep going!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
12
279
174
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Peter Stefanovic
about 1 month ago
🚨BOOM! Now over 90,000 signatures! The Petition calling for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party is getting so close to the 100,000 needed. Let’s keep going!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
22
604
383
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Peter Stefanovic
about 1 month ago
🚨The Petition calling for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party now has 43,000 signatures! Let’s get the 100,000 needed!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
47
775
598
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Sarah Murphy
about 1 month ago
They claim they’re putting personal ambition aside and defecting to Reform to help fix the country. To stop that pisstaking farce, they should be made to hold by-elections in their constituencies and let the voters decide if that’s ok with them. Please sign.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
loading . . .
Petition: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
When an MP decides they want to defect to another party a by-election should be automatically triggered to allow the constituents the opportunity have their democratic right to agree or not with their...
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737660
37
667
336
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Peter Stefanovic
about 1 month ago
🚨The Petition calling for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party now has 55,000 signatures! Let’s get the 100,000 needed!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
11
265
171
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Martin Gilbraith
about 1 month ago
“How can I have more purposeful & productive conversations, develop creative solutions and build a group consensus?” Join me in March in Barcelona or London for
@ica-uk.bsky.social
ToP Group
#Facilitation
Methods, with 10% off with the code JanuarySale!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/top-group-...
loading . . .
ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - Sitges, Barcelona
ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - Sitges, Barcelona
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/top-group-facilitation-methods-training-sitges-barcelona-registration-1635642644179
0
5
4
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Sarah Murphy
about 1 month ago
British voters don’t like Trump. In foreign affairs, he’s all Farage has got. Unless he wants to go public about Putin. So now, what does Farage do? Apparently he’ll have “some words” with the American delegation in Davos. Hahahaha. Delusional, traitorous clown.
liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/417...
34
406
129
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett
about 1 month ago
Dr. King believed our democracy would only make sense when every child was fed, every mind was educated, and every community had dignity and freedom. That vision is still unfolding. So, on this MLK Day, let us recommit to the work of building the world he dared to imagine.
loading . . .
108
3891
1198
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Reform Party UK Exposed
about 1 month ago
30k signs in just a couple of days. Have you signed? By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
loading . . .
Petition: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
When an MP decides they want to defect to another party a by-election should be automatically triggered to allow the constituents the opportunity have their democratic right to agree or not with their...
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737660
3
161
118
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
⿻ Audrey Tang 唐鳳
about 1 month ago
Great to be in the
#TDG50🌐
! As Taiwan’s🇹🇼 cyber ambassador, I’ll keep advancing responsible technology policy, digital governance & international cooperation in the age of AI, cybersecurity & digital transformation. ▶️
tdgi.org/tech-diploma...
Let’s
#FreeTheFuture🖖
— together.
1
29
8
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Act Build Change
about 1 month ago
Join our powerful community of organisers from across the UK to support each other and work together for justice. As an Act Build Change member, you will have access to... 🧵⬇️
1
2
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
about 1 month ago
What should the media landscape of the future look like? A citizens' forum in Baden-Württemberg discussed this question. On 17 January 2026, the final report was presented to State Parliament President Muhterem Aras and media professionals.
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/maki...
#CitizensAssembly
0
4
2
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Sarah Murphy
about 1 month ago
“…if the crisis caused by Trump is seized as an opportunity for Britain to rejoin the EU on terms that bind the UK to the mainland. This would make both parties safer – and stop Putin from dancing a happy jig around the Kremlin” Time to fix stupid.
app.independent.co.uk/2026/01/19/2...
21
643
184
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Reform Party UK Exposed
about 1 month ago
PETITION: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
loading . . .
Petition: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
When an MP decides they want to defect to another party a by-election should be automatically triggered to allow the constituents the opportunity have their democratic right to agree or not with their...
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737660
11
178
120
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Marina Purkiss
about 1 month ago
This makes no sense… An MP can wake up one morning, ditch the party you elected them for, & sign up to a completely different manifesto… No thanks If they defect to a different party, we should get a vote Sign the petition & help make that law.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
loading . . .
Petition: By-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party
When an MP decides they want to defect to another party a by-election should be automatically triggered to allow the constituents the opportunity have their democratic right to agree or not with their...
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737660
80
1403
739
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Amy Hupe
about 1 month ago
My current role at GDS is to communicate the work we’re doing in GOV.UK’s AI Studio - exploring the role agentic AI could play in government services and how to introduce it safely and responsibly. One way we’re doing that is writing about work across the studio on
alphagov.github.io/govuk-ai/
loading . . .
GOV.UK AI
Updates from the GOV.UK AI Studio
https://alphagov.github.io/govuk-ai/
1
22
5
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Involve
about 1 month ago
🌊 A once-in-a-generation cross-border project is happening at Carlingford Lough — and we need your help. A Citizens’ Jury is bringing people together to help decide the Future of Carlingford Lough — yet a postal delay means some households may not receive their invitations in time. 🧵 👇
1
1
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Act Build Change
about 1 month ago
1 week left to apply to join our team!
add a skeleton here at some point
0
2
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Citizen Participation
about 1 month ago
🗓️The first 2026 newsletter of the Citizen Participation Network is out 🗞️ including awards, publications, guidelines, funding and events curated from across the field
#democracy
#participation
#deliberation
#commons
🤔Available here 👉🏼
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/wa-j...
0
7
4
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
about 1 month ago
How to engage youth in a climate assembly? 📌 At this KNOCA Learning Call participants will be learning about the Canadian Youth Climate Assembly 📅 January 22nd, 2026 | 15:00 – 16:30 (CET) 🔗 Register now:
www.knoca.eu/events/learn...
#CitizensAssembly
0
4
3
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
about 1 month ago
The German city of Moers should establish guidelines for citizen participation and create an office for citizen participation. These are two of the most important recommendations of the Citizens' Jury ‘Shaping Participation Together’.
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/that...
#CitizensAssembly
0
9
5
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Act Build Change
about 1 month ago
Have you signed up to our Develop Leaders through Coaching workshop yet? This training explores what effective coaching looks like in organising, where the goal isn't just personal development but collective power-building. 🗓️ Mon 19 Jan | Book now:
loading . . .
Develop Leaders through Coaching – Community Organising Foundations
Coaching develops leaders by building agency, not dependence. Support people to find their own solutions and capability to take action.
https://actbuildchange.com/events/coaching-foundations-jan-2026
0
1
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Hell Gate *subscribe today!*
about 1 month ago
With the creation of the Office of Mass Engagement, Mamdani is signaling that he wants the grassroots movement that got him elected to keep going long after his victory, and to somehow fold it into City government itself.
loading . . .
What Is Mamdani's 'Mass Engagement Office' Actually Supposed to Do?
The mayor is taking lessons from Obama '08 with a constellation of organizations poised to stop the campaign energy from withering away.
https://hellgatenyc.com/what-is-mayor-mamdani-mass-engagement-office/
3
80
11
Here at Involve, we are working on the citizen’s assembly with the National Gallery 👇🏽
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
0
2
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
about 1 month ago
UK museums are asking members of the public to help them define future policy and direction - even encompassing funding decisions - as part of a growing trend towards embracing citizens’ assemblies.
#CitizensAssembly
loading . . .
How UK museums are embracing citizens’ assemblies to help frame their futures
The National Gallery and Imperial War Museum seek the public’s views on purpose and priorities
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/01/02/power-to-the-people-uk-museums-embrace-citizens-assemblies-to-frame-their-futures
0
2
5
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
German Embassy London
about 1 month ago
Are you aged 18-25 and based in the UK? Do you fancy attending a fully funded youth summit in Berlin on democracy and civic engagement? Then apply for the 🇬🇧🇩🇪 Youth Summit taking place from 19–22 March 2026 – a lighthouse project under the
#KensingtonTreaty
!
www.britishcouncil.de/en/uk-german...
1
14
14
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Involve
about 1 month ago
We’re proud to be supporting the delivery of the new Cairngorms 2030 Communities Fund panel: an exciting initiative that hands real decision-making power to communities. Read more 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
0
3
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Nadia Whittome MP
about 1 month ago
This is where violent anti-migrant policies and rhetoric leads. Renee Nicole Good's killing should be a warning to anyone who thinks the UK should tread a similar path. May her memory compel us to stand up to a politics of hatred.
3
86
20
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
ICA:UK
about 2 months ago
Kickstart the New Year with a commitment to your personal and professional development, and enjoy a 10% discount on all our 2026 ToP
#facilitation
training courses by registering with the promo code JanuarySale before Sat 31 Jan
#ToPfacilitation
ica-uk.org.uk/courses/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ZM...
loading . . .
A glimpse of ToP facilitation training
YouTube video by Martin Gilbraith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ZMpcUN6eA
0
4
4
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Peter Spice. Pensioners against Reform UK Ltd
about 2 months ago
Farage’s plot to abolish the OBR shows Reform is not a serious party Voters remember only too well what happened when Liz Truss sidelined the financial watchdog Don’t just like it, share it.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
loading . . .
Farage’s plot to abolish the OBR shows Reform is not a serious party
Voters remember only too well what happened when Liz Truss sidelined the financial watchdog
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/01/06/farages-plot-to-abolish-the-obr-shows-reform-is-not-serious/
26
463
331
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Adrian Segar
about 2 months ago
Event design is not just visuals and logistics. Event design is about process design that can significantly improve meetings.
www.conferencesthatwork.com/index.php/ev...
#meetings
#EventDesign
#BizBash
#ProcessDesign
#eventprofs
0
1
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
about 2 months ago
In Thuringia, a state-wide citizens' assembly will address the topic of ‘peace and democracy’ starting in March 2026. The mini-public is intended to give a voice to the ‘silent majority’
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/givi...
#CitizensAssembly
0
6
3
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Matthew Kalman Mezey
about 2 months ago
Want to try out (co-)leading a Liberating Structure, with others (in the safe space of Q's user group)? Or maybe you have a challenge you'd like to work on creatively with others, and want a practice run first? Join our planning session this Thurs (8 Jan).
q.nhsconfed.org/get-involved...
loading . . .
Liberating Structures meet up: planning the first half of 2026
Join us on 8 January to try out some new Liberating Structures. Book now!
https://q.nhsconfed.org/get-involved/events/liberating-structures-meet-up-january-2026
0
3
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Involve
about 2 months ago
2026 brings a chance to do things differently - by leading change where it’s needed most. Because our democracy isn’t working as it should. If you're ready to lead our work and make the case for democracy at every level of life, we want to hear from you. 🔗
micro.green-park.co.uk/involve/
0
2
2
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Nadia Whittome MP
2 months ago
There are excellent proposals in the government’s long-awaited VAWG strategy: a focus on prevention and education, specialist support for child sexual abuse survivors in one place, specialist officers in every police force, and a national rollout of domestic abuse protection orders, to name a few.
2
22
2
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
International IDEA
2 months ago
With the recent launch of the European Democracy Shield
@internationalidea.bsky.social
hosted a High-Level Dialogue. Gathered representatives from
#EU
institutions, & civil society, conversation underscored the ongoing need to build more resilient institutions. Read ⬇️
www.idea.int/news/summary...
loading . . .
Democratic Resilience by Design and the European Democracy Shield
https://www.idea.int/news/summary-article-democratic-resilience-design-and-european-democracy-shield
0
4
5
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
2 months ago
In France, a Citizens' Assembly adopted 20 recommendations on the length of school hours and other school reforms.
www.buergerrat.de/en/news/fren...
#CitizensAssembly
0
3
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
2 months ago
From the UN Democracy Fund to the
@oecdgovernance.bsky.social
, the
@coe.int
, the
@ec.europa.eu
and political foundations, renowned institutions recommend the use of citizens' assemblies.
www.buergerrat.de/en/backgroun...
#CitizensAssembly
0
2
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Act Build Change
2 months ago
In our final opportunities round-up of the year, we have some exciting roles for you to make a difference in 2026 - including in our own team! 🧵⬇️
#Opportunities
#Hiring
#Changemakers
#CommunityOrganisers
1
1
1
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
The Rejoin EU Party
2 months ago
📢 This petition reflects what many of us already feel about Brexit’s impact. If you haven’t signed yet, here’s the link:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
loading . . .
Petition: Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK
We believe Brexit's not working. The OBR judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse. 10 years after the Brexit vote, let's apply to rejoin ...
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/749128
52
1060
618
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
2 months ago
Citizens' assemblies have multiple effects. Examples show how they influence political decisions, promote consensus, resolve conflicts, increase satisfaction with democracy and activate people.
www.buergerrat.de/en/backgroun...
#CitizensAssembly
0
3
3
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Involve
2 months ago
🚨 UK democracy is under threat. 🗣️ For 20 years, we have proven that public participation is the antidote. 🔍 Now, we need a CEO to lead our next chapter. 🤔 Ready to strengthen democracy? Read more and apply: 🔗
micro.green-park.co.uk/involve/
0
1
3
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
Thorsten Sterk
2 months ago
How can participatory processes such as citizens' assemblies be designed effectively? The
@bertelsmannst.bsky.social
and
@europe.fidemocracy.org
have jointly published a comprehensive guide on this topic.
#CitizensAssembly
loading . . .
Publication - Ensuring Impact: New Guidelines for Effective Citizen Participation Published
With “Ensuring Impact – A Guide to Effective Set-up and Follow-up of Citizen Participation”, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, together with the Federation for Innovation in Democracy Europe (FIDE), publishes...
https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/our-projects/new-democracy/project-news/ensuring-impact-new-guidelines-for-effective-citizen-participation-published
0
7
4
reposted by
Gary Austin (circleindigo)
loreleikelly
3 months ago
Gotta love it.🇪🇸 + 🇧🇷. Barcelona's city council manages a civic collaboration platform called Decidim, which Brazil has borrowed and deployed nation wide "Brazil Participativo" for civic consultation and participatory policy making.
www.opengovpartnership.org/brazil-digit...
loading . . .
How Brazil is Widening Public Participation - Open Government Partnership
https://www.opengovpartnership.org/brazil-digital-governance-story/
1
8
3
Load more
feeds!
log in