People Powered is a global hub for participatory democracy - the direct participation of community members in making the policy decisions that affect their lives.

We build the power and impact of organizations and leaders around the world who are building a more participatory democracy, through programs such as participatory budgeting, participatory policy-making, participatory planning, and citizen assemblies. We’re like a global union for participatory democracy workers.

We began to grow the organization in 2019, launching a Global Participatory Budgeting Hub as a fiscally sponsored initiative of the Participatory Budgeting Project, a nonprofit organization in the United States. In 2020, 58 participatory democracy leaders from 28 countries engaged in a planning process to build out the Global PB Hub into a new and broader organization. They decided on the mission, vision, values, and commitments below, along with our name and work priorities.

Participatory democracy at work in Kenya.

Mission

To expand people’s power to make government decisions, by supporting organizations and governments that are building participatory democracy around the world.

Vision

A world in which all people and communities have the power to address their needs, uphold their rights, and pursue their dreams through inclusive and responsive government institutions.

Values

These values guide both our external programs and how we work internally as an organization:

Inclusion: We prioritize the engagement and leadership of people who are typically excluded from participation and power. We strive to make information and decision-making most transparent and accessible to those who have been most excluded.

Collaboration: We bring people together across differences to work toward shared goals. Through collaboration we aim to build mutual understanding and trusting relationships, spark creative ideas, and achieve stronger results.

Problem-Solving: We identify and address people’s needs and challenges. We focus our energy on solving problems and delivering results, for and with individuals, organizations, and governments. 

Equity: We reduce disparities and inequalities, shifting power and resources to where they are needed most. We focus on making systemic changes that address the greatest inequities.

Learning: We experiment with new approaches, learn from successes and failures, and seek to constantly grow, improve, and innovate. We share our learning as widely as possible, to inspire broader shifts in attitudes and practices.