We aim to implement Electoral District Days throughout Germany, in which randomly selected citizens engage in a constructive exchange with each other and with the members of the German Bundestag from their constituency.
Problems and Purpose
In our view, Germany’s democracy currently faces three interconnected crises that Hallo Bundestag seeks to address: a crisis of representation, a crisis of social cohesion, and a crisis of participation.
Growing mistrust between citizens and federal politics has weakened the representative link, while polarization, disinformation, and social inequalities erode social trust and engagement [1]. Unequal access to political participation further amplifies exclusion and a sense of powerlessness [2].
| Hallo Bundestag responds to these challenges through Electoral District Days, which are one-day, dialogue-based events that bring randomly selected citizens together with their Members of the Bundestag (MPs). The format makes political representation tangible and fosters trust, empathy, and mutual understanding [3]. It promotes social cohesion by creating respectful spaces for constructive discussion across differences and strengthens civic participation by enabling individuals who have so far been invisible or silent to take part in democratic discourse [4]. The primary goal of Electoral District Days is not to produce concrete policy recommendations, but to foster meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and learning between citizens and MPs. Evaluations show that these events sustainably increase trust and democratic engagement among participants [5]. | |
Origins and Development
The format of Electoral District Days was first piloted in 2019 and demonstrated proof of concept during the 2023–2024 phase, when six events were held across diverse constituencies in Germany. The pilot included both rural and urban districts, regions with varying economic structures, and representation from all democratic parties in the federal parliament [6].
Hallo Bundestag is implemented by Demokratie Innovation e.V., a non-profit organization based in Berlin. Known for its initiative Es geht LOS, the organization develops and tests innovative, lottery-based, and inclusive participation formats.
Building on successful pilot experiences, the current project phase (2026–2029) aims to scale the method nationwide and anchor it institutionally within Germany’s parliamentary structures.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Participants are selected through an outreach random selection method designed to reach groups typically excluded from political participation [7]. First, random samples of residents are drawn from registration offices and invited by mail. If recipients do not respond, project staff visit them personally to build trust, identify participation barriers, and offer tailored support (e.g., organization of childcare during the event). Each Electoral District Day typically involves 20–30 citizens.
The process ensures inclusion of individuals who might otherwise be excluded due to limited resources, time, or prior experience with politics [8]. As a one-day event, the format lowers entry barriers and enables a diverse mix of participants in terms of age, gender, education, and migration background [9]. This method has proven particularly effective in engaging politically disengaged citizens and non-voters, contributing to both representational diversity and democratic legitimacy [10].
How it Works: Process, Interaction, and Decision-Making
Each Electoral District Day follows a structured yet flexible deliberative process centered on dialogue and mutual learning rather than decision-making.
Phase 1 – Expression of Interest
At least two MPs from the same constituency jointly express their interest in hosting an Electoral District Day. Civil society actors are also encouraged to approach MPs with such requests.
Phase 2 – Selection of Constituencies
The Hallo Bundestag team and its advisory board select constituencies from among the interested applicants, ensuring geographical diversity across federal states, inclusion of both structurally strong and weak regions, and participation by MPs from all democratic parties.
Phase 3 – Topic Identification
Topics are identified collaboratively with former participants, MPs, and experts. The Hallo Bundestag team prepares background materials and discussion guides, ideally in cooperation with institutions such as the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
Phase 4 – Implementation
A typical event includes:
- Welcome and introduction
- Presentation of the topic and provision of relevant background information
- Small-group deliberations moderated by trained facilitators
- Development of recommendations and dialogue with MPs
- Joint reflection and feedback session
Professional facilitation ensures respectful and inclusive discussion, enabling participants and MPs to exchange perspectives, challenge assumptions, and explore policy issues collaboratively. Furtermore, live fact-checking of participants’ and MPs' questions and claims by trained staff is provided to ensure accurate, evidence-based discussion.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Hallo Bundestag institutionalizes Electoral District Days as a recurring dialogue format that connects citizens and MPs on a local level. The method influences democratic practice by strengthening the representational relationship, rebuilding trust, and demonstrating that direct exchange between citizens and parliamentarians is both feasible and beneficial [11].
Politically, the project encourages MPs and parliamentary institutions to adopt deliberative and participatory approaches to representation [12]. Societally, it integrates underrepresented groups (e.g., non-voters, youth, migrants) into meaningful democratic dialogue [13]. Civically, it empowers local organizations (e.g., museums, adult-education centers, NGOs) to serve as facilitators of democratic participation, thus creating a decentralized network for engagement across Germany [14].
Between 2026 and 2028, at least 50 Electoral District Days are planned nationwide, involving approximately 1,250 participants and 150 MPs. Around 40 partner organizations are being trained and equipped to organize the events independently. Additional outcomes include an institutionalization strategy (2029), the development of training and communication materials, and national media outreach.
External evaluations from the 2023–2024 phase show notable effects: participants reported higher trust in politicians and institutions, stronger feelings of self-efficacy, and increased motivation to engage civically [15]. MPs described improved understanding of diverse perspectives within their constituencies [16]. Broader effects include enhanced social cohesion, political responsiveness, and public confidence in representative institutions [17].
Potential challenges include ensuring consistent quality as the program scales, sustaining funding beyond the project phase, and addressing questions around participation of non-democratic actors [18]. Nonetheless, the method provides a strong, evidence-based approach to addressing Germany’s crises of representation and trust [19].
Analysis and Lessons Learned
An independent evaluation conducted by e-fect eG and Humboldt University of Berlin (2023–2024) confirmed the effectiveness of the Hallo Bundestag approach in promoting trust, inclusion, and engagement [20]. The outreach random selection method proved highly successful in involving people who are typically absent from political participation, including non-voters, young citizens, and individuals with migration or refugee backgrounds, resulting in highly diverse participant groups [21].
Participants reported a significant increase in trust toward politicians, political parties, and the Bundestag, especially when MPs from multiple parties attended [22]. MPs themselves characterized the events as democratizing experiences that fostered respectful, constructive dialogue with citizens they rarely encounter [23]. Follow-up surveys four months later showed that participants’ expressed intentions to become more politically active often translated into concrete action, demonstrating the sustainability of the effects [24].
Key lessons emphasize the importance of adequate resources and skilled facilitation to maintain quality and inclusiveness. Scaling the format nationwide requires structured support for local partners and continuous quality assurance. Finally, long-term democratic impact depends on institutionalizing the method within parliamentary or governmental frameworks to ensure that participatory dialogue becomes a stable feature of Germany’s representative democracy.
See Also
Demokratie Innovation e.V. / Es geht LOS
References
External Links
Brief concept (en)
Brief concept (de)
Final report – Evaluation of the “Hallo Bundestag” project 2023-2024
Publication of Humboldt University
