In this survey, democratic innovations are understood as solutions designed to improve how citizens engage with and influence decision-making.

We identify six families of democratic innovations, based on Elstub and Escobar’s framework.

Administrative: institutional procedures, bureaucratic responsiveness, and co-governance mechanisms. Example: a formal co-governance mechanism in which public administrators and civil society actors jointly oversee the implementation of a public policy.

Deliberative: structured discussion, informed reasoning, and collective judgment. Example: a citizens’ assembly on climate policy.

Digital and AI-Based: technology-enabled and AI-assisted tools for engagement, verification, and decision-making. Example: an online participation platform through which citizens can propose, discuss, and prioritize policy ideas.

Direct: citizens making binding decisions on laws, policies, or constitutional matters. Example: a binding referendum on a constitutional reform.

Electoral: reforming how representatives are chosen and held accountable. Example: citizens’ oversight mechanisms for campaign finance or an electoral reform changing the voting system.

Participatory: citizens contributing to decisions, planning, and implementation through inclusive formats. Example: participatory budgeting at the city level.