We all want to feel cared for, and valued. It matters for our wellbeing, but, we argue, it also matters for our sense of agency and our participation in democratic life. When we tend to the simple, human aspects of participation, we build foundations for transformative democratic capabilities.

In November 2025 the Irish pilot of INSPIRE | INSPIRE_Horizon held its second research event in Dublin. 16 women from different national, cultural and linguistic backgrounds participated in the event, which was co-hosted with the Intercultural Women’s Network Intercultural Women's Network (IWN), a network of women from the Kildare-Dublin region and INSPIRE partner organisation.

In December 2025 the Lisbon pilot of INSPIRE hosted “Reunião” ("Meeting"), a co-creation project directed by Inês Cóias and Mia Meneses, curated by Diana Niepce. This event brought together artists, activists, and partner organisations in a space for dialogue and reflection on the community of people with disabilities. In this blog, the INSPIRE team reflect on Reunião, its significance, impact, and legacy.

This report chronicles the journey of fifteen young people from the West Midlands, UK, who participated in one of the pilots for the INSPIRE project. Using legislative theatre, they developed a play from their lived experiences to challenge systemic barriers and dismissive attitudes to youth employment. Their performances enabled direct dialogue with policymakers leading to the collaborative development of concrete policy proposals. The document is presented as their manifest

In May 2025 the Irish pilot of INSPIRE held its first research event in Dublin.  24 women from different national, cultural and...

For three Saturdays in April, twenty-five people who had found shelter in Przemyśl and its surroundings or Warsaw in long-term care...

King’s College London, in collaboration with Lancaster University, led a scoping review exploring the transformative potential of...

images credit: Bucuria Maria Polodeanu  reelmasterproduction | Facebook | Linktree Fifteen young people from across the West Midlands and...

On 1st April 2025, the Intercultural Women’s Network (IWN)  held an event to celebrate their 10 year anniversary, in the Mansion House,...

Insightful look into the INSPIRE project with Stefano Sotgiu! As a member of Prossima Democrazia, a leading Italian association for...

This blog invites reflections on questions of positionality and intersectionality within participatory democracy and participatory...

Moving beyond traditional participation: using art to build inclusive democracy