A key factor for success in innovation in public services is building trust between governing bodies and the public. One way to build that trust is through active and meaningful engagement between people and policy-makers. Innovative ways of increasing trust, improving political engagement and allowing people to have greater influence on the decisions that affect them, can in turn result in more inclusive and innovative services. Deliberative democracy methods enable the public to become better informed, and in turn engage in decision making processes in a meaningful way. These can include citizens assemblies or juries, planning cells, deliberative polls or participatory budgeting.
We are engaged in better understanding the lasting impacts of such approaches, and looking for opportunities to gather evidence specific to the Welsh context. We are drawing on evidence from other regions, and exploring ways to implement effective democratic innovations, and explore the effects they have on local decision making, and to the individuals who take part.
