Policy and Innovation Offerings
LPL provides intensive technical assistance to select cities and helps local governments identify effective solutions to pressing issues on democracy and climate change through an in-depth discovery process and subsequent planning process.
Below are specific policy innovations and offerings LPL provides to local governments.
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Citizen Assemblies (also known as civic assemblies) represent an innovative approach to participatory democracy, revolutionizing the way local governments engage with their communities.
Through a lottery process, diverse groups of residents are empowered to deliberate on pressing policy issues and provide informed recommendations to decision-makers.
Although successfully deployed in European cities for decades, these assemblies are growing in interest in the U.S. Examples such as the 2022 Petaluma, CA assembly concerning use of a 60-acre plot, and Oregon’s response to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, demonstrate the effectiveness of this model in generating meaningful solutions. Through citizen assemblies, these local and state governments elevated their communities’ unique voices and developed effective policies.
The Local Policy Lab provides cities:
Ongoing education and resources on Citizen Assemblies;
Introductions to the leading experts and practitioners in the field to provide technical assistance on how to conduct an assembly;
Support for city leaders to develop a process to obtain budget approval, and secure external funding;
Assistance in mapping out a public engagement strategy and coalition-building program;
Assistance in program evaluation, follow-through and next steps once an assembly is complete.
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Deliberative Polling, unlike traditional polling, goes beyond mere data collection – it serves as a community breakthrough, enhancing subject knowledge, improving opinions on democracy, and boosting political agency.
The deliberative polling process begins with polling a random and representative sample of residents on specific issues. Following this initial survey, participants from the sample are invited to convene at a central location, usually over a weekend, to engage in discussions about the identified issues. Detailed and balanced briefing materials are provided to participants and made accessible to the public. During the gathering, participants partake in dialogues with experts and political leaders, posing questions that emerge from small group discussions facilitated by trained moderators.
The Local Policy Lab provides local governments:
Introductions to the leading experts and practitioners in the field to provide technical assistance on conducting a deliberative poll;
Research on policy innovations for deliberations;
Support with fundraising for piloting a deliberative poll; and
Assistance in program evaluation, follow-through and next steps once a deliberative poll is complete.
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Participatory Budgeting (PB) stands out as a community-centered approach to budget allocation, promoting active engagement and involvement in decision-making processes.
Implemented as part of budget processes in various settings, such as schools, neighborhoods, or municipalities, PB empowers individuals to allocate funds from dedicated budgets to worthwhile projects and ideas.
Examples across the United States demonstrate the impact of PB in reshaping governance dynamics. In New York City, the largest PB initiative in the country enables residents in Council Districts to directly determine how to spend a portion of discretionary funds. Similarly, PB Chicago empowers residents of that city to propose and vote on community projects, allocating a portion of aldermen's funds based on popular selection. Boston's Youth Lead the Change involves young people in capital budget decisions. In 2017, Oakland completed its first-ever PB process. With the active participation of more than 1,200 community members, PB Oakland allocates funding to support the well-being of low- and moderate-income residents residing in Council Districts 1 & 2.
The Local Policy Lab provides local governments:
Ongoing education and updates about PB efforts;
Introductions to the leading experts and practitioners in the field; including the Participatory Budgeting Project; and
Support for city leaders who want to map out a process to implement participatory budgeting.
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Voter engagement is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, ensuring that residents actively participate in shaping the policies and decisions that impact their communities.
While voter turnout in national elections often garners significant attention, local government elections are equally, if not more, crucial. These
elections directly influence local issues such as education, infrastructure, public safety, and community development.
To enhance voter engagement at the local level, strategic initiatives can be implemented to empower citizens, raise awareness, and simplify the voting process.
The Local Policy Lab provides local governments:
Research on best practices to increasing voter engagement at the local level;
Support to city leaders through planning and implementing specific Democracy Plans;
Fundraising support for voter engagement efforts; and
Introductions to leading experts and practitioners in the field.
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Scenario Planning is a tool that uses assumptions and possibilities about what the future may be to inform strategies and approaches to preparing for different outcomes and proactively engaging residents.
Elections have become an increasingly polarized aspect of our democratic system. Regardless of outcome, public trust in the administration and structure of elections has weakened. To preserve the electoral system, it’s critical for local leaders to identify and plan for various scenarios to ensure residents have confidence in any outcome through a transparent and engaging process.
The benefits of scenario planning include: flexibility to react quickly to a changing world; consideration of a variety of options and plans to combat erosion of public trust; innovation; early risk identification; and a shared alignment across local government towards a preferred future.
The Local Policy Lab provides local governments:
Facilitated scenario planning sessions to assist cities in contingency planning related to the 2024 elections;
Introductions to organizations that may provide additional support; and
Resources on preparedness and planning for city officials.
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The Local Policy Lab sees a powerful intersection of climate and democracy, and we are encouraged by the observation that what’s good for the community is often good for the climate: safer streets, more amenities within walking distance, keeping dollars in the local economy, neighbors knowing neighbors, and urban and rural communities recognizing that we need one another.
Millions of Americans have been impacted by drought, wildfires, flooding, storms, and other extreme weather events. It is predicted that the impacts will become more severe. Cities and other local governments are often on the front lines. As climate disasters increase in frequency and severity, cities with proactive climate policies will be better able to minimize long-term vulnerabilities while delivering near-term benefits.
The Local Policy Lab provides local governments:
Individualized city support to effectively engage residents in the process of tackling climate while simultaneously strengthening democracy.
City support utilizing LPL’s Climate and Democracy Engagement Strategy Toolkit for cities with tools and templates for topics such as an environmental scan of the political landscape, authentic community engagement, stakeholder mapping, power mapping, historical context, and tips for messaging; and
Assistance with developing individualized plans to engage residents in climate change policy efforts.
Contact us.
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If you are a local government representative and would like more information about the LPL Network or any of our policy offerings, please email Vice President, Democracy Laura Wood