Big news from the League’s Civic Genius team 🚀 This spring, we’re launching a civic assembly in Snohomish County, WA—bringing residents together to help shape how AI can make county services more effective and efficient. Learn more: https://ow.ly/nwIi50Y9jyP

📣 Civic Assembly Exploration Event for Community Colleges 🗓 Feb. 5, 2026 | ⏰ 3:00–4:00 pm ET Campus Compact and New America’s Political Reform Program are hosting a Q&A for community college administrators and faculty interested in piloting civic assemblies. 👉 Register: https://ow.ly/JPtb50Y8QKh

The League’s latest newsletter is out 📬 It’s chock-full of organizational updates (👀 civic assembly spoiler alert!) and new resources from partners working to strengthen democracy. Step out of the doom loop and into some real, working solutions—check it out. https://conta.cc/4td49m4

Public meetings don’t have to feel chaotic, or contentious. Join the League & #ICMA for a 4-part Better Public Meetings Training Series designed to help local government leaders plan, facilitate, and manage civil, inclusive, and effective public meetings. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/d6YvmbAb

Public meetings out of control? The Better Public Meetings Training from NCL & #ICMA helps local government leaders improve their public meetings by promoting civility and ensuring residents feel heard. This 4-part workshop covers meeting design, facilitation & engagement. 🔗 lnkd.in/d6YvmbAb

On February 6, #BraverAngels is hosting a National Forum on America’s deportation policy, bringing together experts who hold different views on immigration, but who are committed to grappling with the system’s failures and harms & to finding better ways forward. Register: https://ow.ly/2KiY50Y3M4U

“If we’re the bear, our paw is caught in a trap.” Danielle Allen’s latest essay explores how party primaries have warped our democracy, and how all-party primaries could help free us from the partisan doom loop. The UnPopulist https://ow.ly/9TlN50Y0FmY

"Trust is like the air we breathe: when it's present, nobody really notices—but when it's absent, everyone notices." Right now, we’re suffocating. How do we repair the fractures in our foundation? 🗳️ Take the 1st step by completing the survey on rebuilding trust: 👉 https://ow.ly/VvOv50XXfb2

#LocalPolicyLab is hosting a conversation in response to the heightened tension communities are experiencing right now. This session will explore how local governments can help maintain calm, build trust, and support civic stability. January 22 @ 12:00 PM ET🔗 Register: https://ow.ly/1A2r50XVFeu

🏛️ Citizens’ assemblies are proven tools for tackling complex public problems and rebuilding trust. Now we need to move from one-off pilots. 📅 Join us on January 15th for a panel on what it takes to make citizens’ assemblies a routine part of governance. 👉 Register: https://ow.ly/Y32250XT0ui

Last call for Letters of Intent to apply for the All-America City Award. Get those LOIs in by the end of the day to save $100 on your #AAC2026 application fee.

Will technology strengthen, or undermine, democracy? In this Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation discussion moderated by Danielle Allen, the co-authors of Rewiring Democracy unpack both the promise and the peril of tech in civic life. https://ow.ly/zbeK50XLrth

This article reminds us that the next generation isn’t waiting their turn, they’re already leading. From teens mapping climate collapse, to high schoolers launching national voter registration movements, young people are rewiring what leadership looks like! https://ow.ly/hC8450XKmQc

Matt Leighninger joined the Strong Cities Network #SixthGlobalSummit to explore social cohesion measurement. 🌍 370+ mayors, local leaders, national gov. reps, and CSOs gathered to share innovative solutions for more connected & thriving cities. https://ow.ly/AUZa50XJFlu

A new national effort to strengthen democracy through evidence-based narrative strategies launched on December 8. The Pro-Democracy Narrative Playbook Initiative is providing open-source resources to help communities communicate about democratic values and civic space. https://ow.ly/3PGb50XFK4G

Shout out to everyone who joined us in Rochester, MN this week! The League’s Center for Democracy Innovation hosted a public forum with residents and local leaders on improving public meetings. Great crowd and great ideas, despite the chilly temps!

The Guidebook for Deliberative Engagement from the University of Canberra breaks down what makes community deliberation effective, with practical steps, real-world examples, and design principles you can use in your own processes. 🔗 https://ow.ly/F1Cn50XA7hv

Think tanks aren’t just research hubs, they shape how communities understand issues and participate in democracy. This piece explores how civic engagement + evidence-based policy together strengthen democratic decision making. https://ow.ly/wlUg50XA4Ip

Can technology strengthen democracy? This visual story on Audrey Tang shows how open-source tools, transparency, and collective intelligence can counter polarization and build trust. 🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/aX2g50XA4wE

Civic Nebraska's new “Screen / Table / Us” project digs into how Americans see each other — and how face-to-face conversations can reconnect us across divides. Important, insightful work. Read more → https://civicnebraska.org/20251124-screen-table-us/

A major new partnership between University of Notre Dame, Harvard University and UC Riverside aims to transform civics education through hands-on, community-based learning. A win for students, educators, and democracy. https://ow.ly/KUVx50Xy9b7

How do we rebuild space for civil, nuanced public dialogue? Jim Peyser joins The Codcast to discuss polarization, democratic health, and why complex issues deserve better than strident slogans. https://ow.ly/Vo1z50Xy987

“The generation we’re in needs a Declaration of Interdependence, in which we’re all working together to build connections and achieve the American dream.” —Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels, at League board meeting.

Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation: a framework for Experiential Civic Learning. At a moment of democratic strain, this highlights how hands-on, practiced civic learning can strengthen participation without politicization. Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation https://ow.ly/Akgn50XvKcf

Big milestone for the Healthy Democracy Map! We’ve passed 12,000 organizations mapped nationwide — from local newsrooms to youth groups, civic tech, voting rights advocates, and more. Every pin shows people strengthening democracy. Explore → https://ow.ly/jzbv50Xu2Ui

“Negative stereotypes about young people persist—but their ‘non-expert expertise’ is irreplaceable.” In National Civic Review, Wendy Schaetzel Lesko shares two decades of lessons on empowering teens as public-policy problem solvers. https://ow.ly/JS9X50Xn2f7

Citizens are the “board of directors” of democracy. In National Civic Review, Steven Borne argues that our role isn’t to demand profits but to ensure government delivers the services we collectively need, effectively and responsibly. https://ow.ly/jcOa50Xn2b0

Excited to be working with the City of Raleigh Government on an upcoming civic assembly! The News & Observer covered the city’s innovative civic lottery and what’s ahead for residents helping shape Raleigh’s future. https://ow.ly/4NNx50XrEXA

🤖AI is changing how we govern and how we participate. In the National Civic Review, Aisha Nayla examines both the promise and the unanswered questions of a digitized democracy. https://ow.ly/4rZU50Xn28M

In the latest edition of the National Civic Review, Annie Daley examines why public opinion and policy decisions often diverge and how democratic innovations can help bridge the gap: https://ow.ly/nTA050Xn1Us

A look inside a Gambian citizens’ assembly—and what it shows about trust, participation, and community voice in a country navigating major political transitions. A reminder that democratic innovation is happening everywhere. https://ow.ly/VSYN50XqWiA

Even with shrinking funding and public attention, All-America Cities are making real environmental progress powered by creativity, collaboration, and civic action. 🌿 Read Rebecca Trout’s piece in National Civic Review: https://ow.ly/KQA950Xn26q

“The real test of participation happens in the moments we don’t plan for.” In the National Civic Review, Nanke Verloo examines the critical moments when public participation falters and what they reveal about trust. Read more: https://ow.ly/I4FM50Xn1RN

Neighborhoods are where democracy begins but only if everyone has a seat at the table. Across U.S. cities, new tools like participatory budgeting and inclusive outreach are helping make local governance more equitable and transparent. Read more in our recent newsletter: https://ow.ly/gJzT50Xn1LH

Join Local Policy Lab Nov. 13 for their next Democracy Conversation: The Citizen Initiative as a Tool for Civic Health w/ Katie Fahey, ED of The People 🕐 1–2pm ET | 10–11am PT 💡 Explore how ballot initiatives can strengthen civic trust Register👉 https://ow.ly/rgUM50XprEt

“Until hearts and minds are changed, we have to keep doing the work.” At ICMA’s Leadership Institute on Racial Equity, local leaders shared how they’re advancing inclusion one community, one project at a time. https://ow.ly/3Uss50Xn1zK

“National service is the hard work that protects democracy one person, one community at a time.” In National Civic Review, Ken Syring makes the case for national service as America’s best defense against authoritarianism. https://ow.ly/Eufe50Xn20U

When neighbors sit down together, common ground isn’t as rare as it seems. In Washington, residents tackled housing, growth, and public safety in small-group It’s Your America workshops and found surprising agreement on how to move forward. https://ow.ly/8t9J50Xn1wR

How can technology rebuild trust in elections? Danielle Allen highlights the Plurality Institute 's work on tools like OpenBallot, VotingWorks and Secure Internet Voting—each offering new ways to strengthen confidence in democracy. https://ow.ly/ZTJy50Xn2B2

How do we strengthen civic health in divided times? In Colorado, community leaders gathered to talk honestly about frustration, polarization and hope. Read about the Colorado Civic Health workshops led by the National Civic League. 👉 https://ow.ly/RUQS50Xn1ug

Homelessness demands coordinated action, not isolated efforts. In National Civic Review, Brian Levy and Shui-Yan Tang explore how Los Angeles is reforming governance to align jurisdictions and sectors around shared solutions. https://ow.ly/bP7u50Xn1Xa

If we want real civic participation, we have to meet people where they are in time, place, and technology. Great read in Governing on rethinking how, when, and where democracy happens. 👉 https://ow.ly/jaCf50Xn1qb

Democracy reform isn’t just about ideas, it’s about what happens when communities put those ideas to work. 🌎 Check out our latest newsletter featuring stories from Colorado, Tennessee, and beyond on bridging the gap between theory and practice. 👉 https://conta.cc/4nsZx7a

Across Europe, cities are reimagining democracy, experimenting with new ways to rebuild trust & participation. 🌍 Lessons from Brussels & Amsterdam via DemNext: https://ow.ly/Amm150Xkgk3

“Democracy isn’t only built in global summits — it thrives in city halls and council chambers.” 🌍 Local leaders are the front line of democracy. Read more from the @coe.int : https://ow.ly/iY3A50Xkfy8 #LocalDemocracy #CivicTrust

In Nebraska, local nonprofits, educators, and faith groups are coming together to expand access to the ballot and strengthen civic participation, especially in rural areas. Read more from The Fulcrum: https://ow.ly/KaoF50Xj9te #CivicEngagement #VotingRights

Libraries are among the last truly public spaces, where dialogue and trust can still grow. Join National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation for Libraries as Civic Hubs on Oct 28 to explore how libraries strengthen civic life. 🕑 2–3:30pm ET 🔗 https://ow.ly/aVb450XhGnT #CivicEngagement #Libraries

Across Europe, cities using citizens’ assemblies and deliberative models to strengthen democracy from the ground up. On Nov 26 Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will host leaders to explore how deliberation builds resilience and civic trust. 🌍 Read more 👉 https://ow.ly/p5hx50Xgpx2

What happens when residents become reporters? 📝 Omaha’s new Documenters program is training citizen journalists to cover local meetings, building transparency and civic connection. Read more 👉 https://www.unomaha.edu/news/2025/10/documenters-training-citizen-journalists-to-cover-local-government.php

How should governments use AI responsibly? 🤖 New Jersey just released a first-of-its-kind guide for public employees on ethical, transparent AI use an important step for civic trust and innovation. Read more 👉 https://statescoop.com/public-sector-gen-ai-new-jersey-guide/