Each month we bring you the latest updates from across our work. If you'd like to be the first to receive the latest direct to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Here's what's new:
🕛 Average overall reading time: approx 7 minutes
- 🎓 Applications for the next cohort of the School for Everyday Democracy are now open! (Read more here)
- 🎨 Putting the public at the heart of the National Gallery's future (Read more here)
- 🌍 Our evidence to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee (Watch it here)
- 🚨 Is our democracy backsliding? (Read the blog here)
- 💡 Lessons from supporting climate engagement across the UK (Read the blogs here and here).
- 👀 Explore the Local Climate Engagement Resource Hub (Here)
- 💧 Towards a democratic future for Lough Neagh (Read the report)
- 🔬 Updates from Sciencewise
- 💬 Don't miss our upcoming training! (Sign up here)
🌍 Our evidence to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee recently heard from our Interim Co-CEO, Steph Draper, about how the UK can build the trust needed for net zero solutions.
Steph described how genuine public involvement in net zero decision-making, boosts confidence and strengthens support for climate action. After our Climate Assembly with Westminster Council, trust in the council increased from 52% to 73% and the number of people feeling listened to more than doubled. Research in our Citizens’ White Paper with Demos also shows policies receive greater backing when citizens see themselves reflected in decisions.
Insights from our work make it clear for the committee that, to achieve its 2030 targets, the government must put ongoing and meaningful public participation at the heart of its strategy. This approach is key to unlocking momentum, resilience and fairness on the path to net zero.
🎓 The first graduates of the School for Everyday Democracy - applications for the next cohort open now!
This month we proudly celebrated a milestone moment as the very first cohort of the School for Everyday Democracy graduated from the programme.
At a joyous celebration event, we reflected on the incredible journey these changemakers have been on. They began with bold ideas for a better future, and through dedication and collaboration have turned those ideas into action. Just as importantly, they have also forged meaningful and supportive relationships that will continue to empower them long into the future.
But this is only the beginning. As the school’s first alumni, these everyday democracy champions are setting the stage for a growing, UK‑wide network - one rooted in mutual support and a commitment to making stronger, more connected communities, where democracy takes place every day.
Applications for the fourth cohort of the School for Everyday Democracy are open now. Take a look and apply here.
If you’d like to receive a communications pack to share with your networks - get in touch here.
🎨 What if a national gallery was shaped by the nation?
We’re proud to be working with the National Gallery on a sector-leading, five-year journey to put the UK public at the heart of its future - not just as visitors, but as collaborators.
This begins with NG Citizens, a Citizens’ Assembly bringing together 50 people selected from across all four nations, reflecting the richness and diversity of the UK.
NG Citizens will offer space for deep, reflective engagement and genuine ownership. Participants won’t just share feedback: they’ll share a vision for the future of The National Gallery. This marks a bold step for both the Gallery and the cultural sector, reinforcing what it means to be a truly national institution at a time that calls for openness and imagination.
We look forward to supporting this collaborative commitment - because public art needs public input, and the best galleries don’t just house masterpieces - they host conversations.
Whilst not everyone can join the NG Citizens’ Assembly, there are still many ways for the public voice to be heard. That's why we’re also gathering ideas about what kind of Gallery people would love to see. These contributions will be shared with Assembly Members to help shape their conversations. Help spread the word and share this survey.
👉 Read more about the project here.
🚨 Is our democracy backsliding?
Freedom of speech and assembly are pillars of a healthy democracy. As an organisation committed to democratic renewal and public participation, we believe these rights are fundamental to addressing today’s challenges. Protest is essential for holding institutions to account - when these freedoms are restricted, so is our democracy.
Recent arrests at peaceful protests highlight this erosion, compounded by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The use of further legislation to criminalise non-violent direct action raises serious concerns about the future of democratic rights in the UK.
Read Director of Advocacy and Communication, Yas Alltahir’s, reflections in a recent blog here.
💡 What have we learned from supporting local authorities across the UK to engage their citizens on how to get to Net Zero?
For the past year, we have worked with 25 local authorities across the UK to help them engage residents in shaping their pathways to net zero as part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme. In the coming weeks, we’ll be hosting a learning event to launch the findings from this landmark ‘Thriving Places’ project.
Ahead of the launch, we’ve published reflections from the programme in two new blogs.
Read about what happens when engagement starts with what matters to people and place
- and the unexpected outcomes when residents set the agenda.
And explore our lessons on how by moving beyond behaviour change, local authorities can explore scenarios, understand potential challenges, and design workable solutions with people before investing significant resources.
📖 Read 'Beyond Climate Engagement' here
📖 Read 'Beyond Behaviour Change' here
Want to be the first to hear about the launch event when registration goes live? Let us know here.
✏️ Sign up to hear about the launch event
👀 Explore the Local Climate Engagement Resource Hub
If you haven’t already, now is a great time to explore the Local Climate Engagement Resource Hub – a free online collection of practical guides, case studies, and tools for councils and climate groups.
Developed with input from local authorities across the UK, the Hub brings together step-by-step guides, real-world examples, engagement methods, and planning resources to help deliver high-quality public engagement on climate.
Whether you're new to climate engagement or looking to strengthen your approach, the Hub offers accessible resources to support your work.
💧A democratic future for Lough Neagh?
A new democratic initiative is gathering pace around Lough Neagh, one of Northern Ireland’s most vital and contested natural treasures. Following our “Who Speaks for the Lough?” workshop, we’ve published a new report making the case for a Citizens’ Assembly to help shape the Lough’s future.
This work responds to the ecological crisis and ongoing calls for more inclusive, transparent decision-making. The aim is to bring people together, balance different perspectives, break political deadlock, and build the legitimacy needed for bold, fast, and sustained action.
We’re delighted to welcome Karin Eyben to the Involve NI team, who will be supporting this important work. Karin has shared her reflections on the launch and recent debate in her latest blog, inviting us all to consider the range of perspectives and stories that shape Lough Neagh. Read Karin’s reflection here.
📖 Read 'The Danger of a Single Story' here
Nominations are now open for a co-design group to help shape the assembly, ensuring the voices and priorities of people most connected to the Lough are at its heart. Find out more and sign up here. Nominations close Monday 6 October, 10am.
📄 Read 'Who speaks for the Lough' report
☑️ Co-design group nominations here
🔬 Updates from Sciencewise
Sciencewise has been at the centre of some landmark moments this year. From historic public dialogues helping to pave the way for the UK’s world-first approval of mitochondrial donation - now leading to the birth of eight healthy babies.
And in another first, the Home Office worked with Sciencewise to run a public dialogue on AI in policing, marking the department’s debut in engaging the public this way. The Sciencewise programme is showing how public voices can shape big decisions in science and society.
We’re also delighted to welcome Katie Weeks as our new interim programme director. With nearly twenty years' experience in public engagement and science communication, Katie brings fresh energy to the team at an exciting time. Find out more about Katie’s experience and vision for the programme here.
Want the latest news and insights from Sciencewise? Sign up for the Sciencewise newsletter here.
✏️ Sign up for Sciencewise updates here
🗨️ Upcoming training
We’ve refreshed our training pages, making it easier to see everything we offer - from strategy and commissioning, to facilitation and delivering inclusive public engagement.
Our upcoming sessions are designed to help you, your team or organisation gain practical skills and confidence using participatory and deliberative approaches. Whether you work in the public sector, non-profit, corporate, or community settings, our training is shaped by decades of real-world experience.
Upcoming Involve training:
Facilitating Public Engagement Training
- Thursday, November 13 · 9:30am - 1pm Sign up here
Public Engagement Training
- Thursday, November 6 · 9:30am - 1pm Sign up here
👀 Read more about our training offer here
🙏 That's all for now!
That's all for now! Remember to sign up to our newsletter if you'd like to receive the latest news from us direct to your inbox.