Neighbourhood Democracy

Growing a movement for real democratic reform.

We believe that it’s time to shift our approach to democracy and embrace the idea that everyone can play a part in thinking, deciding and acting in their streets, neighbourhoods and villages. Neighbourhoods were vital to democracy at its start. Neighbourhoods need to be at the heart of democracy now.

Three Principles

Neighbourly - we are diverse but we need to get along in a kind and friendly way, sharing an interest in making our places better.
Located - we are only as deep as our roots in actual neighbourhoods and we can’t speak for what other neighbourhoods might want.
Shared - we all have a contribution to make and are all specialists in something, with everyone able to share their knowledge and experience together.

We’ve been inspired by citizen-led democratic movements in India, South America and Europe that have acted at the small-scale. We celebrate movements that have sought to transform their local democracy, from Barcelona to Coalville, from Frome to Porto Allegre.

You can read our many articles on different aspects of Neighbourhood Democracy here.

There are many people and organisations that support democracy in neighbourhoods. These range from small local groups to what governments do. Citizen Network are a part of this movement to have neighbourhoods at the heart of democracy.

Three Aims

Stimulating - stimulating action through spreading models and ideas that build democracy in neighbourhoods.
Challenging - challenging the neglect of neighbourhoods with policy proposals that recognise their central role in democracy.
Connecting – connecting the experience, ideas and energy of citizens interested in promoting democracy in neighbourhoods.

Citizen Network has a newsletter for people interested in news and links from different organisations and people active in making a change towards neighbourhood democracy. This is a way of keeping up to date with what is happening in Citizen Network and the wider movement. If you'd like to get the newsletter and connect then please fill in the form below:

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Also see

Paper: 02.07.25

Delivering Neighbourhood Renewal A response to the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON) Green Paper.

Paper: 25.04.25

DIY Democracy: A Guide to Citizens' Juries A guide for community groups and organisations interested in running low cost citizens' juries.

Article: 14.06.24

Neighborocracy It is possible to do democracy very differently and to make sure everyone is involved.

Article: 21.05.24

Defining Our Neighbourhoods Identifying our neighbourhoods is important because it helps citizens to share the work of taking care.

Story: 11.01.24

People Focused Group: “Keep Your Hands Off Peer Support” Peer support is an approach to mutual support led by people with lived experience.

Story: 08.12.23

Chorlton Community Co-Operative There are great things happening in Chorlton as people come together.

Story: 30.11.23

L30 Netherton: This Is Community Life The Netherton community in Liverpool is discovering the power of building community life.

Story: 13.10.23

Kuza Nila: Meeting Your Purpose Eagle Wings works with young people in schools and communities in Kenya.

Paper: 09.08.23

SoNeC Guide SONEC is a framework for local decision-making determined by principles of justice and equality.

Story: 19.09.23

Astronauts Launch From Community Space Coalville CAN is a model of community development which is bringing new life to the town.

Joseph Rathinam and Neighbourhood Democracy Joseph Rathinam has helped inspire grassroots neighbourhood democracy across Southern India.

Story: 28.07.23

Street Connection: “Amazing Things Will Happen” Open Door Community Foundation are connecting people in Firs and Bromford in Birmingham

Article: 06.06.23

The Path to Community It's Our Community in Sheffield explored how to reform health and social care from the grassroots.

Story: 18.04.23

Arty Chats: Cultivating Community at The Forge Creating art is a great way to open up conversations and help people connect.

Story: 09.02.23

Precious Plastic East Create Community Connection Helping people to recycle plastics has been a pathway to growing community.

Article: 10.01.23

Democracy Through the Looking Glass Democracy should start in our communities, our streets and our neighbourhoods.

Article: 12.01.23

Neighbourhood Parliaments and Sociocracy A short history of sociocracy and the development of the movement of Neighbourhood Parliaments.

Paper: 18.07.22

Work is Neighbourhood Business UBI means we can respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution by growing neighbourhood support for work.

Webinar: 04.05.22

Knowledge is Power - Planning Laird Ryan explores how we can create real, organic and local alliances that make the best use of our energy.

Webinar: 15.02.22

The Portland Inn Project The Portland Inn Project CIC is a creative arts project for a community in Stoke On Trent.

Reviews: 14.10.22

The Bradford Revolution Bradford began the destruction of municipal socialism in the pretence of improving local government.

Story: 30.09.22

Growing Community Power through Community poo Instead of focusing on a problem as a problem convert it into an opportunity for community.

A Conversation about Polis with Crowd Wisdom Project A Conversation about Polis with Crowd Wisdom Project

Webinar: 29.08.21

Neighbourhoods: Refunction or Recreate? Susan Rodaway and Michael Hancock shared practical models for reshaping and democratising local government.

Webinar: 20.07.21

Sharing Stories to Cultivate Democracy Guest hosts Paul Wright and Selva Mustafa share stories of connection and community in Birmingham and Bury.

Webinar: 05.05.21

Organising for Neighbourhood Democracy Rachel Payling, Wendy Lowder and Annabelle Macfadyen joined Angela Fell of the Neighbourhood Democracy Movement.

Webinar: 08.06.21

Neighbourhood Democracy and Food The Neighbourhood Democracy Movement (NDM) hosted this webinar with 4 invited guests to explore the relationship…

Article: 14.09.21

Flourishing Neighbourhoods It's misleading to describe communities as 'left behind', we need to think how we will grow Neighbourhood Democracy.

Webinar: 03.07.20

Norwich City Council: Creating Space for Community Members of Norwich City Enabling Team and Adam Murray of the Old Library Wood community group share their experiences…

Webinar: 16.07.20

Two Neighbourhoods: Netherton & Springfield Angela Fell and friends explain how the neighbourhoods of Netherton and Springfield reacted to the COVID-19 crisis by…

Webinar: 18.06.20

Neighbourhood Democracy: Building Community in Spain Plena Inclusión with a wide range of allies in Spain, have developed an exciting approach to building community.

Webinar: 22.06.20

Exploring the Strength of Community Liz Leach Murphy and Sarah Holmes explore the factors that make for stronger and richer community life.