We Do Democracy is a Copenhagen-based advisory organisation focused on democracy and public participation. It works with public bodies and other organisations to involve people in shaping decisions, with particular expertise in deliberative processes such as citizens’ assemblies, citizens’ councils and panels. Its work also includes designing participation strategies, facilitating collaborative processes and building organisations’ capacity to run them.411
The organisation’s stated aim is to give more people a meaningful role in decisions affecting their lives and society. Its clients include municipalities, political and membership organisations, foundations and businesses.11 Its work extends beyond Denmark: We Do Democracy describes itself as active in international networks, and its projects and partnerships span the Nordic region.410
A landmark project was Copenhagen’s Citizens’ Assembly on the Medieval City, established in 2019 as Denmark’s first citizens’ assembly. We Do Democracy served as its third-party secretariat and lead facilitator; the assembly produced nine recommendations on the future of the city centre, including proposals to reduce parking and car traffic.56 Other projects include the Copenhagen Climate Citizens’ Council, a multi-year process on the city’s emissions, and a national citizens’ panel on animal welfare whose recommendations were presented to the Danish Parliament.211
The organisation is based at Democracy Garage, a democracy and participation hub at Rentemestervej 57 in Copenhagen NV. Its key figures include executive director and democracy adviser Zakia Elvang and director and founding partner Johan Galster.48 LinkedIn lists the organisation as founded in 2017.3