Participate Practically
Welcome to the gateway for your transformative journey
to becoming a public participation expert!
We at Participation Factory, Democracy Technologies, and the Innovation in Politics Institute, are excited to have you join us on the Participate Practically course! This course is based on years of practical experience with over 300 projects all around the world from Arctic Norway to Sub-Saharan Africa. Now, get ready to explore the essence of participation—what it is, what it isn’t—and discover the dynamic world of participatory projects that redefine the way we see effective governance, planning, and decision-making.
Why does this matter? Public participation is the catalyst for inclusive decision-making, responsive governance, and an elevated quality of life. From reshaping urban spaces to targeted initiatives and strategic planning, participation proves to be the key to unlocking community potential.
However, crafting a meaningful and effective participation process is a craft that requires learning, practice, and a mastering of the craft.
Below you will find the course and material to get started, but before we begin, let’s introduce you to the experts that will guide you through.
Meet Tomas Rakos – Co-Founder and CEO of Participation Factory and our participation guru. With vast experience spanning the globe, from the US to India, Tom crafts participation processes blending international best practices with local nuances. His expertise covers process design, stakeholder engagement, civic tech consulting, and more. Tom’s passion lies in sharing his know-how, rooted in his background in communications and media and previous experience establishing and leading a Civic Tech team that supported delivery of the New York City Participatory Budgeting.
Next comes Katya Petrikevich, also a Co-Founder and the International Director of Participation Factory. She spearheads global projects and initiatives and supports development of innovative participatory processes. As a board member for People Powered, she helps shape development of the global participation landscape and mainstream the best practices. In her work, Katya merges political science and human rights into her work, emphasizing gender parity and inclusivity.
You will also meet Anna Wien, Managing Director in charge of steering the Participation Factory ship. With a knack for smooth operations, she ensures our strategic goals are met and leads the most complex projects concerning the establishment of institutional participation infrastructure. Anna, an urban policy expert, led an award-winning public space initiative Public Space Network in Nairobi, Kenya. Comfortable with a vast variety of contexts, she continues to support local actors and governmental organisations on their path towards sustainable participation and strategic planning around the world from the Czech Republic to Madagascar.
Last but not least is Ervin Hausvater, who leads the Civic Tech Agenda at Participation Factory. He holds a wealth of knowledge about digital participation tools and best practices from Europe and elsewhere. In his work, Ervin blends the border between different segments of participation ecosystems and supports governments and Civic Tech companies alike to create more engaging and effective digital participation initiatives and projects.
Now that you’ve met the team, let’s get started!
