Ask Questions clearly in Civic Assemblies

The hard work of Civic Assembly projects is getting institutions to actually think about questions that are answerable and actionable.

There is no point starting out on a project that will provide no additional clarity or which will never have any actual consequences.

In setting the question(s), the institution must ask itself how it will enable the process of debate/decision-making and then how it will enact any ideas and decisions made.

Do not use a civic assembly if these issues are not thoroughly dealt with by the staff of the institution. The failure of assemblies is more in this lack of alignment at the start than anything the assembly members say or do.

People want to be asked and want to do things that matter. Without clarity about questions and actions, they can feel betrayed by the process.

Ask us to help

This kind of clarity of purpose is what we have provided in projects in both the UK and EU.

Ask about how to do this, contact us for a chat.

Originally published at https://acuity.design on September 30, 2025.