Mainstreaming Participation Accelerator (MPA)

The Mainstreaming Participation Accelerator (MPA) is a program for reformers who are currently testing, experimenting, or implementing a public participation program and seeking to mainstream (institutionalize or embed) it as an ongoing government process. Please apply below or share with someone who fits this description. 

It is a pioneering program launched by the Institute of Public Finance (IPF) in collaboration with People Powered and the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The program is open to government reformers and civil society organizations interested in transforming existing participatory programs into sustainable democratic practices.

Background

Governments and civil society organizations have explored various innovative participatory approaches to amplify citizens’ voices in decision-making, such as participatory budgeting, citizens’ assemblies, and participatory policymaking. However, many of these initiatives have remained as pilot projects and have not been fully integrated into standard governance practices. This program seeks to support reformers’ efforts to convert these one-off initiatives to more consistent, commonplace, impactful and high-quality participatory practices.

The inaugural cohort, starting in March to September 2025, will include 20 participants. The program will support participants in developing practical solutions to mainstream and embed high-quality, inclusive public participation practices across key government sectors, processes, and institutions. 

Applications are open to governmental institutions, civil society organizations, or non-governmental organizations globally. A detailed timeline, from application preparation to final reporting, is provided in the following sections.

Over a six-month period, participants will benefit from:

• Dedicated mentorship
• Step-by step resources such as the Participation Playbook, an interactive online tool for designing participatory programs, 
• Comprehensive “how-to” guides
• Practice-oriented live sessions, including an in-person workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, and online courses.
• International peer-learning opportunities.

Program Goals 

By the end of the program, the participant should expect to be able to:

• Critically analyze the landscape of participatory and deliberative democracy, identify key opportunities, barriers, and current practices both globally and within their local contexts.
• Engage diverse stakeholders effectively, using advanced mapping techniques and communication skills to build support and sustain engagement.
• Apply systems thinking to evaluate and influence deeper changes in governance, aiming for sustainable and inclusive participatory processes.
• Develop and implement effective strategies in an action plan for mainstreaming participatory and deliberative democracy, including coalition-building, advocacy, and legislative changes.

Have you submitted a Public Participation commitment to the Open Gov Challenge? This is your chance for additional support! The MPA program offers resources, mentorship, and networking to help you turn ambitious commitments into sustainable practices, strengthening your efforts to transform governance.

Applications are open!

Read through the program requirements and selection criteria below, complete the application form, and submit the required documents by Sunday, November 24, 2024, 11:59 P.M. UTC (check your timezone here).