Deliberative facilitation
In the development of citizens’ assemblies and deliberative panels in Europe, actors across the field have developed a solid collection of tools and best practices. But the deliberation and deliberation itself has received far too little attention. Citizens’ assemblies and the deliberative method are spreading across national, municipal and organizational boundaries – and if the quality and impact of these processes is to be top notch, it requires trained deliberative facilitators and organizations that can support it throughout the process.
We Do Democracy and FIDE-Europe have, with input and feedback from key deliberative facilitators, developed a deliberative facilitation competence profile and training program in deliberative facilitation. It is the first of its kind in Europe and has a clear ambition to draw in knowledge and practice from across Europe.
Training in deliberative facilitation
We offer training in three levels:
Lead deliberative facilitation
For you who have deep knowledge of deliberative processes and international standards for citizens’ assemblies. You have been or will be the lead designer and/or facilitator of a citizens’ assembly, have experience from previous processes, and professional facilitation experience. Offered in collaboration with FIDE Europe with guest trainers from different European deliberative organizations.
The next course is September 14-16. Read more here
Facilitating deliberation and participation
For those who either have knowledge of deliberative democracy or have worked with democratic participatory processes. You may have already been part of facilitating, planning or running a deliberative process. You already facilitate smaller processes but lack formal facilitation training. Offered in both Danish and English by We Do Democracy with guest trainers from the democratic field.
Jump on the wave
The field of democracy is booming these days and the need for strong facilitators is growing rapidly. We offer both open trainings and tailor-made programs for organizations, leaders and teams – in Danish and English. Read more about our trainings and collaborations and how we can help you.
What is deliberative facilitation?
The role of the deliberative facilitator or facilitator team is described in this competence model. Facilitation is both:
> Macro process design – overall flow and design.
> Micro process design – how flow is experienced from day to day.
> Process facilitation – when music plays in the room and a group needs to be carried through the day from start to finish.
> Project management of facilitation in deliberative contexts.
> Knowledge and learning design and stakeholder management.
> Communication and presentation of methodology, process and results.
About the program manager
Zakia Elvang is CEO and Democracy Advisor at We Do Democracy and responsible for our programs in deliberative facilitation. She is one of Denmark’s leading experts in deliberative democracy, participatory processes and democracy innovation in the world and has more than 25 years of experience designing and facilitating complex change and participatory processes in both public organizations, civil society and private companies.
Zakia has trained and advised thousands of leaders and change agents and is particularly known for her ability to create direction, mobilize people and facilitate processes where different perspectives are translated into shared solutions and action. She is also a leading designer and facilitator of citizens’ assemblies and citizens’ consultations according to the OECD’s international principles for deliberative processes.
You can contact Zakia at zakia@wedodemocracy.dk
Our partners
FIDE Europe is an independent and non-partisan organization working to strengthen deliberative democracy and citizen participation in Europe. The organization brings together democracy innovators, practitioners and institutions across Europe to develop, support and disseminate high-quality citizens’ assemblies and other deliberative processes. FIDE Europe works with capacity building, consulting, advocacy and the development of common standards for deliberative democracy
Contact:
Executive Director, Yves Dejaeghere, yves@fidemocracy.org
We Do Democracy is a social enterprise and a leader in Denmark within democratic innovation and deliberative democracy. WDD has designed and facilitated 20+ citizen gatherings and worked internationally as expert advisors to top leaders in the public and private sector. WDD is also co-founder of Copenhagen’s democracy hub, Democracy Garage, and the training concept Democracy Fitness.
Contact:
Managing partner, Zakia Elvang,
zakia@wedodemocracy.dk
NEW & NEXT
Deliberative Facilitation Training: A training program for lead facilitators in partnership with FIDE Europe
From September 14-16, We Do Democracy and FIDE Europe will host the first Lead Facilitator Masterclass at the Democracy Garage in Copenhagen. The Masterclass is part of a new international training program in deliberative facilitation to empower the next generation of facilitators in citizen gatherings and deliberative processes.