Problems and Purpose
Launched on 18 November 2025, the Citizens’ Assembly for Democracy is guided by a central question: how can democratic participation in Geneva be improved?
The Citizens’ Assembly for Democracy represents a significant potential for social integration and social cohesion - insofar as it develops and makes available democratic tools for residents of the Canton of Geneva.
In more practical terms, its aims are to identify key issues related to democratic participation, formulate related objectives and coherent recommendations to address these issues. By testing a new model of citizen participation, the Assembly makes it possible to identify key challenges of democratic governance from the perspective of citizens themselves. It also enables to directly associate these challenges with the development of priorities and concrete solutions.
Eventually, the initiative seeks to create a space for dialogue that enables participants to co-construct solutions and actively contribute to the improvement of Genevan democracy. Through participation, individuals acquire knowledge, have their voices heard and encounter new people from different backgrounds.
At the end of the process, the final report of the Citizens’ Assembly will be made public and transmitted to cantonal authorities. The objective is to contribute to the evolution of the framework governing democratic participation by directly involving citizens and getting an institutional response from the competent authorities.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The Citizens’ Assembly for Democracy is organised the Canton of Geneva (Department of Social Cohesion - Bureau of Integration and Citizenship) in partnership with the Institute of Citizenship Studies of the University of Geneva - which both have long-term experience in participatory processes.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
A total of 5 000 inhabitants of the Canton of Geneva have been selected by lot and have received an invitation to participate in the general group of the Citizens’ Assembly for Democracy. The invitation has been sent to individuals aged 16 or above residing in the Canton of Geneva. Invitees are encouraged to register for a stratified sortition process by completing a form containing sociodemographic questions - gender, age, interest in politics, level of education, residence status, voting frequency and area of residence. The aim is to ensure statistical representativeness.
Additionally, open registration is available to any individual aged 16 or above living in the Canton of Geneva, or to Swiss citizens aged 18 or above who work or study in Geneva while residing in neighbouring France or in the Canton of Vaud. Participants must never have held a political mandate or led a political party and must be able to speak French. The voluntary registration process aims to highlight motivation participation.
Then, from among all registrants, 40 individuals are selected according to the criteria mentioned above. An additional 10 individuals who register voluntarily are selected following the same procedure. The purpose is to constitute a group that reflects, as closely as possible, the diversity of the Genevan population - thereby ensuring descriptive representativeness.
Structure
The Citizens’ Assembly for Democracy is organised according to differentiated participation model comprising two categories of participants:
50 individuals participating in the Assembly’s general group, who work together over four full weekends and represent residents of the Geneva region.
50 individuals participating in interrelated groups, divided into five groups of ten participants each. Participants in these groups are selected by relevant organizations responsible for ensuring representativeness.
This structure does not aim to exclude certain populations. On the contrary, it seeks to create optimal conditions for deliberation. Indeed, given the complexity of the topics addressed, meaningful participation requires a certain degree of time commitment and availability. Some groups, however, may face physical, material or psychological constraints that limit such engagement. Thus, the interrelated groups provide adapted spaces, support and tools to enable free and effective participation. Each group meets over four half-day sessions, discusses the same topics as the general group and addresses the specific obstacles its members encounter in democratic participation.
The different groups
Youth - by La Fondation genevoise pour l’animation socioculturelle (FASe). Previous participatory experiences show that young people, particularly those under 18, often struggle to remain present for an entire day - for example due to attention difficulties. In addition, young people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds or experiencing disruptions in their educational or professional pathways rarely participate in initiatives such as citizens’ assemblies. Thus, creating a group specifically for individuals aged 14 to 18 appears relevant - although, of course, those aged 16 and above may also participate in the general group if they are motivated.
Seniors - by Le centre d’animation pour retraités (CAD). Participatory experiences show that older individuals may be unable to work for a full day - which often leads them to excuse themselves from such processes. Thus, establishing a group composed of people aged 65 and above seems appropriate - although, again, those who are motivated and able to do so may participate in the general group.
Disabled people - by La Fédération genevoise des associations de personnes handicapées et de leurs proches (FéGAPH) et its partners. Discussions with professionals in the field indicate that disabled individuals may face difficulties participating across eight full days. Thus, creating a dedicated group of disabled participants seems relevant - while still allowing those who are motivated and able to join the general group if they wish.
Precarious people- by Caritas and its partners. Meetings with workers in the social sector highlight that people experiencing precarity may struggle to commit to eight full days of participation. They may also require specific tools. Thus, establishing a group specifically for people in precarious situations is appropriate - though those who are motivated and able remain welcome to join the general group.
Non-native speakers - by Le centre de contact Suisses-Immigrés and its partners. Experiences from other participatory processes shows that a average knowledge of French is necessary - as immediate translation cannot adequately compensate for linguistic gaps. Thus, creating a group for non-native speakers, equipped with specific tools to facilitate participation, appears relevant - while still allowing motivated and able participants to join the general group if they choose.
Methods and Tools Used
The Citizens’ Assembly itself constitutes a particular participatory method. It can be defined as a time-limited deliberative process involving a restricted number of participants - representing here the Genevan population. The process combines plenary sessions with thematic working groups. It follows a structured sequence: training in deliberation and introduction to the topic, hearings with experts and identification of key issues, in-depth exploration of solutions, prioritisation of proposed measures, consolidation and finalisation of proposals and collective validation through deliberation.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Registration remains open until 31 January 2026. Then, on 12 March, during a public launch assembly, participants for the general group will be selected by sortition. Eventually, from March to November 2026, the groups will meet to deliberate on democratic participation in Geneva through four main stages.
First weekend - topic identification (25th/26th April).
The interrelated groups identify the major issues affecting Genevan democracy and summarise it for the general group.
The general group familiarises itself with the topic of democracy by listening to expert input. The aim of this session is to develop a compressive understanding of the issue by highlighting the main concerns related to the functioning of Genevan democracy. The general group must also take into account the issues identified by the interrelated groups. It then produces a first list of concerns requiring further examination. Eventually, the list is shared with the interrelated groups.
Second weekend - prioritisation (6th/7th June).
The interrelated groups underline the difficulties encountered by citizens attempting to participate in democratic processes and provide a summary to the general group.
Drawing on the work carried out during the previous session, the general group identifies the most significant challenges to reinforce democracy by selecting the issues to be prioritised - while still considering the input of the interrelated groups. Several external contributors are also invited to debate and provide their perpectives on the state of democracy and possible solutions. Finally, the general group summarises the topics it intends to work on and shares the summary with the interrelated groups.
Third weekend - developing solutions (10th/11th October).
After reviewing the summary provided by the general group, the interrelated groups suggest concrete solutions and present a synthesis to the general group.
By engaging with affected individuals and experts, the general group also develops practical proposals relating to the issues selected during previous sessions. Eventually, it formulates concrete recommendations which are summarised and transmitted to the interrelated groups.
Fourth weekend - final decisions (21st/22nd November).
Taking into account the solutions proposed by the general group, the interrelated groups evaluate their relevance in light of the needs they previously identified. Then, they provide a summary containing feedback and including necessary adjustments or complementary proposals.
After integrating the remarks of the interrelated groups, the general group votes to approve the final set of recommandations. It then considers strategies for their concrete implementation. Once validated, the proposals are transmitted to the cantonal authorities - who are expected to provide a response within six months.
Throughout the process, regular public updates will enable the population to follow the Assembly’s work and encourage broader reflection and debate within Geneva.
