OIDP

To apply, you must fill in the Online Application Form before 31 January 2025.

The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP) invites local and regional governments from all over the world to participate in the call for the 19th edition of the OIDP Award “ Best Practice in Citizen Participation.” The OIDP Award is an initiative launched in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to reward innovative and transformative projects to promote participation in local democracy.

Who can apply for the award?

All local and regional governments whose participatory and deliberative democracy practices have been active during 2024 can apply for the award. As a new feature, this year we are introducing a special mention for durability and sustainability of the practice, for which practices that, although no longer active in 2024, have been implemented for more than five years, maintaining their name and characteristics without significant changes, may be nominated.

Individuals and non-profit organizations may also apply for a practice promoted and implemented with local and regional governments, exclusively with the authorization of the latter. More information can be found in the Terms of the Award 2025.

Access the Terms of the Award 2025

How to apply
All local, supra-local and regional governments and organizations that are members of the OIDP are eligible to apply. If you are not yet a member of the OIDP, you must complete the membership form by January 15, 2025.

To apply, governments and all interested parties must complete the Online Application Form on our website by January 31, 2025. The application form can be completed in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.

Access the Application Form

We strongly recommend that you follow the instructions in the Application Guidelines to submit your practice, since the more detailed information you provide, the better your proposal will be evaluated and recognized by the jury.

Access to the Application Guidelines

Key dates

Opening of the call for proposals: 15 November 2025
Deadline to apply for IOPD membership: 15 January 2025
Deadline for submission of proposals: 31 January 2025

Participate!
The OIDP Award is an opportunity to showcase your work in protecting democracy from local communities internationally.

By submitting your practice, your local or regional government can systematize its knowledge, gain global visibility, participate in peer-to-peer learning and exchange activities, receive feedback from a jury of experts, and gain recognition in a global network of local participatory democracy leaders. Moreover, your practice will nurture the global ecosystem of participatory democracy as it can be part of academic initiatives and studies in collaboration with universities and research centers.

The award and special mentions will be delivered at the Awards Ceremony at our 24th OIDP Conference in Cordoba (Argentina) on 21-23 May 2025. The winning local or regional government will receive an award, a diploma and a special dissemination of its practice. Travel and accommodation expenses for one person representing the winning government will be covered to attend this event.

More information
For detailed requirements and to submit a proposal, please visit the OIDP Award website. If you have any questions, please contact us at oidp@uclg.org.

We look forward to receiving your innovative projects and sharing the transformative power of participatory democracy!

The call for applications for the 19th OIDP “ Best Practice in Citizen Participation” Award is now open!