As part of this campaign, with encouragement and support from others,we have started to form an alliance for learning effective citizenship and practical politics.

Tony Breslin of the Citizenship Foundation suggested the name 'Democracy Matters'.
We have had two meetings, which developed the following statement of intent:

Who We Are
We are members of civil society organisations working in communities which promote democracy and active citizenship

• by involving people as citizens at a local level
• by campaigning for reform of democratic institutions, or
• by providing education for citizenship, campaigning, advocacy, participation and practical politics.

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What We Are About
We promote learning for democracy, effective citizenship, participation and practical politics.We are campaigning to get more support for learning how to campaign and take part in politics, so that anyone who wants to change things can learn how the system works, who to influence and how to campaign effectively.

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Our Aims
Our organisations are diverse in their aims and membership, but we have come together to:

1. shape policies for public support and promotion of democratic participation, including the new duty to promote democracy;
2. promote learning for practical politics, citizenship, empowerment and democratic participation.
3. To get accessible & affordable practical political education available everywhere
4. Encourage learning providers to develop provision for practical political education
5. Get manifesto commitments from all major parties
6. Get 'democracy hubs' set up in all Local Authorities
7. Create an independent alliance for learning democracy
8. Encourage people to set up and run campaign training & practical political education

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Our Shared Objectives
To support these aims, we seek:

1. accessible and affordable opportunities for adults to learn capabilities for citizenship, as recommended by Learning Through Life, the inquiry into the future for lifelong learning;
2. independent local democracy hubs, as recommended by the Power Inquiry, to promote democracy, participation and effective citizenship.

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What Shall We Do Together
To pursue these aims and objectives we shall

• Share information, learn from each other and co-ordinate action
• Create an open platform in every town or constituency for citizens to question those standing for election to Parliament
• Encourage and enable grassroots participation, networking and social media
• Offer mutual support to activities by members of the alliance where possible and relevant
• Share and develop research into citizenship
• Create links through our websites and e-bulletins

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Organisation
We do not see the need for a new organisation, but want more communication and co-operation between organisations and networks which promote democracy.
We propose:

1. a national steering group of about 12 people from different organisations, each one leading on specific tasks and able to speak for the alliance
2. a national chair, independent of participating organisations
3. self-organising local partnerships of our member organisations and others

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Funding
There are costs associated with
co-ordination and with each task, which will be met by members as part of their current work on learning and democracy. We do not propose to seek funding for the alliance itself, but may work together on funded projects.

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Membership
We are not a formal membership organisation but an association of chief officers and leaders in the following groups who are interested in developing this alliance:

Alban Neve Deaf Association
Bassac
CDX
Citizenship Foundation
Civic Voice
Community Links
Community Matters
Community Sector Coalition
Educational Centres Association
Involve
NAVCA
NCVO
NIACE
Novas Scarman Group
Participatory Budgeting
Sheila McKehnie Foundation
Take Part
The Democracy Trust
Unlock Democracy
Urban Forum
Workers' Educational Association
Working Together Project

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