Democracy & Governance

Democracy is under pressure from growing divides, misinformation, and a lack of trust. To keep it strong, we need new ways to bring people together and inspire action. Ideas like citizen assemblies, using tech for more transparent decision-making, and better civic education can help people feel included and heard. While the challenges are big, they also give us a chance to rebuild trust, work together, and create a more inclusive future for everyone.

To support strategic planning for 2024-2029, we partnered with the UN OHCHR to create a Global Trends Report that identifies emerging societal, technological, economic, and environmental challenges impacting human rights. This participatory effort cultivated a culture of foresight within the organization, prepared their strategy for "Our Common Agenda" and equipped them to navigate uncertainties.

In collaboration with the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, we hosted a workshop for democracy tech entrepreneurs from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova to address challenges like misinformation and autocratic threats. Participants gained futures thinking skills, developed radical solutions through futuresstorming and prototyping exercises.

Discover the Democracy Futures Radar, a forward-looking initiative developed in collaboration with Fibres. Using the STEEP framework, this project highlights the key dynamics shaping the future of democracy worldwide. Dive into a nuanced exploration of the trends and forces redefining governance and civic engagement.

We helped Pictet Asset Management prepare for a post-pandemic world by developing four futures scenarios through a virtual Strategic Foresight Process. These scenarios refined their investment strategies, addressing shifting consumer values, governance dynamics, and emerging opportunities, while positioning Pictet as a thought leader in the evolving investment landscape.

We were invited for a democracy conference and hackathon in Moldova, just ahead of its critical 2024 EU referendum and elections, to support efforts against misinformation and autocratic threats. By mentoring young entrepreneurs and sharing insights on democratizing futures, we helped them explore innovative solutions like blockchain for transparency and civic engagement.

We worked with BBK and key stakeholders in the Basque Country to explore post-pandemic scenarios for Bizkaia, aiming to build resilience and drive prosperity for the futures. Through research, horizon scanning, and collaborative workshops, we developed four detailed scenarios with "must-win battles" and strategic priorities. This process strengthened cross-sector collaboration and provided actionable insights to guide Bizkaia towards a resilient and prosperous future.

Reporting from the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2024, where discussions centered on tackling key challenges like misinformation, inequality, and authoritarian threats. Key takeways were the importance of youth as change agents, leveraging tech for transparency, and creating positive visions to counter dystopian narratives. Strengthening democracy requires collective action, innovation, and a commitment to imagining and shaping better futures.

We’re excited to be part of shaping the new master’s program Democracy, Public Institutions, and Political Innovation at the University of Deusto in San Sebastián. Co-created with an incredible network of collaborators like Arantzazulab, DOT, and Orkestra, this initiative aims to reimagine democracy for today and tomorrow. Rooted in the Basque Country’s strong tradition of collective action, the program reflects a bold vision for participatory and innovative democratic practices.

We hosted an interactive Futures Literacy Lab in association with World Futures Day, bringing together policymakers, activists, researchers, and engaged citizens to explore the future of democracy. With immersive discussions and guided exercises, participants challenged assumptions, we co-created scenarios for democracy in 2048, and examined how futures literacy can shape policymaking and civic engagement. The lab fostered collaborative visioning, generating good, new perspectives on governance and actionable insights for democratic change.

We taught a seminar for students from Lund University on how shifting global power dynamics are reshaping democracy. We explored major trends like rising authoritarianism, changing alliances, and the global competition over technology and resources, sparking discussions on what this means for the future of governance. Students engaged in conversations about the big choices societies face, the pressures on democracy, and how different nations are adapting to uncertainty.

Futures Shapers is a program designed to equip young people with the skills needed for active, informed participation in democracy. Rooted in the concept of "democracy fitness," the program nurtures empathy, curiosity, engagement, and imagination—core competencies for governance and civic life. The program culminates in citizen assemblies, where insights transform into actionable recommendations, ensuring that participants contribute to meaningful change.