Embedded Files
Samvad
Why Public Deliberations Matter
Why Public Deliberations Matter
India’s cities and communities face complex challenges—from climate change, mobility and housing to water, waste and biodiversity. Addressing them requires both technical expertise and the lived knowledge, priorities and ideas of diverse people.
The CEE Samvad programme seeks to create structured processes and spaces in which people can consider evidence, listen to different perspectives, examine trade-offs and work towards shared solutions. Drawing inspiration from the participatory spirit of institutions such as the Gram Sabha, CEE Samvad is advancing approaches like Citizens’ Assemblies to strengthen public participation in urban and other contexts where inclusive forums for informed dialogue are essential.
What are Citizens' Assemblies
Citizens’ assemblies bring together a broadly representative group of people to deliberate on an important public issue. They may be convened by public authorities, civil society organisations or citizens themselves. Participants are usually selected through a civic lottery to reflect the diversity of the wider community. They consider evidence and different perspectives, discuss the issue with trained facilitators, and develop informed recommendations. These recommendations are shared with relevant decision-makers and the wider community.
Dr Partha Mukhopadhyay
"Urban India has great diversity, which is its strength. It also means there are many diverse views about civic challenges. It's very important to evolve institutions and systems in the spirit of the 74th Constitutional Amendment -- for people with diverse views to come together, listen to each other, deliberate constructively and develop ways forward for civic decisions."
At the CEE Workshop on Public Participation in Urban Governance, June 2026
Citizens Assembly Facility
Citizens Assembly Facility
CEE Samvad works with governments, civil society organisations, educational institutions, schools and communities to design inclusive and context-specific Citizens’ Assemblies. We support the process from defining the question, preparing balanced information, selecting participants, facilitating deliberation and planning follow-up on the recommendations.
Get in touch with us to co-design a civic assembly.
Shri T P Raghunath, Svarnim Puducherry:
"It was a unique experience for us, as the mini public established a common platform for common people to come together, with the feeling that we also matter, our voices also can get counted.... You can use citizens' assembly approaches for all civic sectors, water governance, school management, bioregional planning.,."
Shri T P Raghunath, Svarnim Puducherry, in conversation with Dr Avinash Madhale, CEE Samvad, after a mini-public with residents of Puducherry who deliberated on the question of everyday travel. The mini-public was organised by CEE with Svarnim Puducherry and TISS Mumbai in November 2025.
Community of Practice
Community of Practice
CEE Samvad brings together practitioners, researchers, public institutions and civil society organisations interested in strengthening public deliberation in India. The community offers a space to exchange experiences, learn from diverse approaches, develop practical capacities and explore opportunities for collaboration. It also connects emerging Indian practice with wider regional and global learning.
Connect with us to join the community and our mailing list.
Participants of a workshop on Public Participation in Urban Governance,
organised by CEE in June 2026 at YASHADA, Pune.
Citizens’ Assembly on Cycling Promotion in Pradhikaran, Pimpri Chinchwad
Citizens’ Assembly on Cycling Promotion in Pradhikaran, Pimpri Chinchwad
July 2024
Partners
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
CEE and Prasanna Desai Architects
The Citizens’ Assembly in Pradhikaran, Pimpri-Chinchwad deliberated on how cycling could become safer, easier and more attractive for everyday travel. Thirty-eight residents, selected through a stratified lottery to represent diverse ages, neighbourhoods and cycling experiences, considered local challenges and possible solutions. Through facilitated discussions, they developed recommendations on cycling skills, road safety, parking, community cycling groups and supporting infrastructure.
Sandeep PCMC Short.mp4"One thing I liked was that the government officials were there. ... Often we feel, there is no real bridge between the issues citizens face, their role as citizens and the workings of the administration or government. But in this process it was possible to discuss and understand our real issues, different needs, and contribute to the plans of the city ".
Mr Sandeep Khadkikar, Assembly Member
Citizens’ Assembly on Walk, Bus, Cycle and Metro in Pune
Citizens’ Assembly on Walk, Bus, Cycle and Metro in Pune
December 2025
Partners
Maha Metro Rail Corporation, Pune Knowledge Cluster
CEE and Save Pune Traffic Movement
The Pune Metro Jan Samvad on 'Let's Talk about Our Everyday Travel' deliberated on how Metro travel could become more accessible and convenient. Drawing on findings from commuter surveys, neighbourhood outreach, focus group discussions, and walking assessments, a diverse group of citizens deliberated on the Vanaz–Garware metro corridor in Kothrud, Pune. Their recommendations addressed feeder services, walking and cycling access, shared-rickshaw connectivity, information and wayfinding, parking management, affordability and passenger support.
Page updated
Report abuse