WHAT IS THE OIDP?

The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP) is an international network of local and regional governments, civil society organizations, and research centers committed to promoting participatory, deliberative, inclusive, and rights-based democracy.

Created in 2001 within the framework of the Decentralized Cooperation Projects of the European Commission's URB-AL Program, the OIDP was officially established in November of that year during its first conference, held in Barcelona. Since 2006, it has been part of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) as its consultation mechanism on local democracy.

Over more than two decades, the OIDP has established itself as a benchmark for the exchange of experiences, the production of knowledge and the promotion of democratic innovation at the local level. In the face of current challenges—democratic setbacks, climate crisis, persistent inequalities, and geopolitical tensions—the OIDP reaffirms its mission to strengthen public participation as a key tool for building sustainable solutions at the local level.

• Internal regulation
• Management report 2025
• Work Plan 2026

GOALS

• To be the worldwide center of reference within the participatory democracy field.
• To create synergies between cities, organizations and research centers in order for them to think about the quality of democracy at the global level.
• To produce and improve the existing knowledge in the local participatory democracy field.
• To exchange experiences about democratic innovations in all regions of the world.
• To recommend policies to public administrations of the world, preferably local ones.

PROJECTS

Annual OIDP Conference

The OIDP's annual conference is the network's main meeting place, focusing on analysis and debate on the state of participatory democracy at the global level. It brings together local and regional leaders, political representatives, experts, and social actors to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and promote cooperation between cities, local governments, and international organizations on democratic innovations. More information

OIDP Award “Best Practice in Citizen Participation”

The OIDP Award recognizes annually innovative experiences of participatory democracy implemented by local and regional governments. It values initiatives that promote the active involvement of people, in all their diversity, both in the development and implementation of public policies and in the renewal of public services, thus contributing to the strengthening of democratic participation. More information.

Exchange of experiences and peer learning

Peer exchange is at the heart of the OIDP's work. Local and regional governments face common challenges that can be addressed through solutions tailored to their specific contexts. Thanks to its reach as an international network, the OIDP brings these actors together to share experiences, learn from one another, and promote innovative approaches to participatory democracy. Whether through face-to-face or virtual seminars, the network seeks to generate shared knowledge that drives innovation in public policy and contributes to the renewal and strengthening of democracy.

OIDP Bank of Best Practices in Local Democracy

The OIDP is an international reference point for participatory democracy and public participation. Its website offers a repository of good practices and publications related to these topics, to facilitate learning, inspiration and the replication of innovative experiences. It also has a news section that provides up-to-date information on relevant events and global trends related to democratic participation and local governance.