Table 1.

Selected examples of citizens’ assemblies and their structures (Bellantoni & Chwalisz, n.d; Citizens’ Assemblies, 2018; Electoral Reform Society, n.d; G1000 Linked with Foundation for Future Generations, 2019; Involve, n.d; Involve, 2018; Madrid City Council Web Portal, n.d; MASS LBP (n.d.); UCL, The Constitution Unit, 2017; UK Parliament, 2019; Vorarlberg Unser Land, n.d).

Country (Year)Purpose and RemitMandate and Structure
Ireland (2012)Constitutional amendment on same sex marriageIrish Parliament A constitutional convention composed of 100 participants including Independent Chair, 33 parliamentarians and 66 citizens
Ireland (2016)8th amendment of Irish constitution on abortion.Mandated by Irish parliament; 100 members of the public
Spain (2018)Monitor Municipal actions and make proposals for improvementObservatory of the City; Mandated by municipal government of Madrid; composed of 49 citizens and can trigger citizen consultations on municipal matters
Poland (2016)To deliberate on local matters e.g. local government’s response to torrential rainfall and floodingMandated by municipal government of Gdansk; Signatures from 5000 citizens can trigger citizens assemblies on local matters
United Kingdom (2020)To deliberate on ideas and inform future national food strategyOrganised by the National Food Strategy Team (tasked by the UK government); Citizens will be selected randomly from different parts of the country
Belgium (2019)Policy recommendations to parliamentMandated by Ostbelgien parliament; A permanent Citizens’ council comprising 24 citizens will mandate citizens assemblies to deliberate and make recommendations
Austria (2017)Handling of land within the remit of local councilMandated by local government; 1000 citizens’ signatures can trigger assembly on any local policy topic
Canada (2015)Deliberate and develop recommendations on local planning or transportation issuesCitizen led movement to inform local government decision making

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