Officially launched on 5 December 2024, the ScaleDem project focuses on connecting research outcomes with societal needs in democratic innovations. Its goal is to promote inclusive and participatory governance by turning tested solutions into practical, impactful applications beyond the experimental stage. ECoD NPO is one of 13 partners in the ScaleDem project, leveraging its extensive practical experience and established networks.
Adding to a strong international consortium of scientific institutions, ECoD NPO is bringing its practical experience in spotting the most promising democratic and societal innovation in Europe, as well as its network of cities. Building on a best practice database from its annual Innovation in Politics Awards and democracy projects from the European City Network, ECoD plays an instrumental role in the fair and transparent selection of pilots and twinning coalitions.
Via its existing network, notably across communities of practice in cities, municipalities, regions, nations, and at the European level, ECoD is going to contribute to ScaleDem’s effort in communication, dissemination, and engagement, notably in the project Translation Hub.
Building a scaling infrastructure with ScaleDem
Over the past decade, over 300 transnational projects have refined methods of citizen engagement and participatory governance, supported by initiatives like Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Despite significant progress, many innovations remain underutilized due to gaps in scalability and impact.
ScaleDem addresses these challenges through a robust scaling infrastructure built on three pillars:
1. Consolidation: Developing a Theory of Scaling grounded in empirical insights to explore the scalability of democratic innovations systematically.
2. Translation: Bridging theory and practice through a Translation Hub, fostering adaptation to diverse contexts and integrating insights from the Global South.
3. Uptake: Testing and replicating innovations via Scaling Grounds, including pilot and twinning programs to validate and extend solutions.
Scheduled to run for 42 months, ScaleDem is coordinated by Missions Publiques and supported by a consortium of 13 organizations. The project’s goals include strategic partnerships with other EU-funded initiatives and third-party experimentations through open calls.
By closing gaps in scalability and uniting diverse stakeholders, ScaleDem transforms democratic innovations into practical solutions that strengthen governance and empower communities.
