The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP), in collaboration with the Municipality of Kraków and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) network, is pleased to announce that the Call for Proposals for the 25th OIDP Conference is now open.
The conference will take place in Kraków, Poland, from 21 to 23 September 2026, under the theme:
“Hope and Renewal in the Face of a Global Crisis of Democracy – The Future of Participatory Democracy from Local to International Governance.”
In a global context marked by democratic backsliding, declining trust in institutions, increasing social inequalities, and growing political polarization, participatory democracy remains a key pathway to renew democratic governance and strengthen the relationship between institutions and citizens.
The 25th OIDP Conference will bring together political leaders, local government representatives, public officials, academics, civil society organizations, and practitioners from around the world to reflect on the role of participatory democracy in addressing these challenges and shaping more inclusive and resilient democratic systems.
The conference will provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the presentation of participatory practices, with a particular focus on how participatory mechanisms can contribute to democratic renewal at the local, national, and international levels.
The Call for Proposals invites contributions aligned with the following thematic pathways:
Citizen Participation in Times of Crisis
Deeper Democracy and Deliberation
Participation in Democratic Transitions
Local Governments and Citizen Participation
These themes aim to explore both theoretical reflections and practical experiences, highlighting innovative initiatives, policy developments, and participatory processes that strengthen democratic governance.
The conference welcomes proposals in a variety of formats, including:
Individual presentations
Full panels
Workshops
Proposals from local governments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, international networks, and practitioners are strongly encouraged.
Deadline for submissions: 30 April 2026
Format: In-person participation
Location: Kraków, Poland
Working languages: English, Spanish, French, and Polish
Interested participants can consult the Concept Note and submit their proposals through the official conference website:
https://oidp2026.krakow.pl/en/call-for-proposals
As the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy, an initiative promoted by United Cities and Local Governments, celebrates its 25th conference, this global gathering will offer an important opportunity to collectively reflect on how participatory democracy can respond to the current democratic crisis and contribute to building more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems.
The OIDP invites all stakeholders committed to democratic innovation and citizen participation to contribute to this collective dialogue in Kraków in September 2026.
Join the OIDP