What is it and why ‘small ideas’?
We’re thrilled to be part of this experiment, which asks the UK public to send in suggestions via www.small-ideas.org around ideas they have that could make people’s lives easier or better.
Years of bringing people into decision-making have shown us that the public are brilliant at understanding problems and finding solutions. Those on the receiving end of policy and services know best where things aren't working, and they're often the first to spot how to fix them.
The Small Ideas Initiative is an exciting democratic innovation that gives everyday experience and common sense a real route to power, helping to find ways to make life better for us all.
Big debates take up a lot of space in our political realm. But often, we live day to day with frustrations we know could be solved by talking to the people who made the systems. A confusing form. A rule that makes no sense. A parking meter that makes you guess how long you'll stay, so you end up paying for time you didn't use.
At Involve, we believe that people living with a problem often know best how to fix it. That's why we're so excited to be part of this.
What makes a good ‘small’ idea?
We're looking for ideas that are:
- Practical – a solution, not just a complaint
- Do-able – it must be something that could realistically change
- Relatively inexpensive – if it costs too much, government, regulators, or councils won’t do it
- Decent impact – whether it could help millions of people a little, or thousands of people a lot
- And crucially… hard to disagree with – the kind of thing that 80% of people, whatever their politics, would say “yeah, that makes sense”
We know there are lots of great ideas out there, but ideas that are too local, overly political, illegal or harmful won't make the cut.
What’s next?
We’re asking you to share your ideas! Visit the website here.
What happens once the ideas are in?
Following the initial crowdsourcing phase, the team at Nesta will first filter the submissions to ensure they fit the criteria above. Then we will convene academics, specialists and policy experts to check the practicality and feasibility of the ideas - turning them into professional policy proposals.
A longlist of ideas will be published and the public will be able to give their own feedback on the ideas.
Finally, the cross-party panel will review the ideas and the feedback to select a final list of around 50 do-able proposals and ensure they have appeal across the political spectrum. The Initiative will take this manifesto of small ideas to decision-makers and campaign for their implementation.
It's exactly what we believe in: people at the heart of the decisions that shape their lives.
So, got an idea?
Share it at www.small-ideas.org by 12th November 2026.
Want to find out more about Martin Lewis or Nesta?
About Martin Lewis
Martin Lewis CBE is a campaigning journalist, founder and Chair of both MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity. He has his own prime time ITV ‘The Martin Lewis Money Show’ and BBC “The Martin Lewis Podcast” plus many millions of social-media followers.
He has led campaigns securing financial education in schools, helping consumers reclaim billions in mis-sold PPI and unfair bank charges, and driving major policy changes on energy, council tax, mortgages and scams. In 2026 he was presented with the 2026 BAFTA Television Special Award.
Note: The original speech from Martin about this idea, via POLITICO can be watched here.
About Nesta’s Centre for Collective Intelligence
Nesta’s Centre for Collective Intelligence are award-winning experts in public engagement. They design digital platforms and innovative approaches that help institutions build trust and collaborate with citizens on the issues that matter. Find out more at https://www.nesta.org.uk/centre-for-collective-intelligence/