AB3D Strengthens Its Global Engagement in Participatory Democracy Through People Powered
AB3D is pleased to highlight a series of important milestones in its collaboration with People Powered, reflecting its growing role in advancing inclusive and participatory governance both in Burundi and within global democratic innovation networks.
These milestones include AB3D’s participation in the Inclusive Democracy Accelerator (2025–2026), its engagement in the People Powered global event in Nairobi (March 2026), and its official membership in the People Powered network.
Together, these experiences mark a significant step in AB3D’s institutional development and its long-term commitment to strengthening citizen participation, particularly among youth, women, and marginalized communities.
A structured journey to strengthen inclusive democracy
From September 2025 to March 2026, AB3D actively participated in the Inclusive Democracy Accelerator, a global learning and action program designed to support organizations working on participatory and deliberative democracy.
Through this program, AB3D engaged in structured learning sessions, mentorship, peer exchanges, and practical implementation work focused on improving inclusion in participatory governance processes.
A key outcome of this process was the development and refinement of an action-oriented Participation Playbook, aimed at identifying barriers to inclusion and strengthening strategies to better engage marginalized groups in decision-making.
Global learning and exchange in Nairobi
As part of the accelerator journey, AB3D also took part in the People Powered global workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya in early 2026, under the theme “Global Challenges, Participatory Solutions.”
The event brought together practitioners, civil society organizations, and democracy innovators from around the world to exchange experiences and explore solutions to shared governance challenges.
For AB3D, this gathering provided an opportunity to share its field experience from Burundi while learning from diverse participatory democracy practices implemented across different regions. The exchanges reinforced the importance of co-creation, inclusion, and local ownership in democratic processes.
Strengthening global connection through official membership
In addition to its participation in the accelerator, AB3D is now an official member of People Powered, joining a global network of organizations committed to advancing participatory democracy.
This membership represents a strategic milestone for AB3D, strengthening its access to global learning opportunities, technical resources, and collaboration with leading practitioners in the field of civic participation.
It also enhances AB3D’s ability to contribute its own experience from Burundi to global discussions on inclusive governance and democratic innovation.
From global engagement to local impact
Across these different engagements, AB3D has translated global learning into practical insights for its work in Burundi. The organization continues to refine its approaches to citizen participation, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, accountability, and community-driven decision-making.
The lessons learned through the accelerator and international exchanges are expected to strengthen AB3D’s ongoing initiatives aimed at improving civic engagement mechanisms and ensuring that marginalized groups are meaningfully involved in governance processes.
Looking ahead
Through its participation in the accelerator, engagement in international exchange, and official membership in People Powered, AB3D reaffirms its long-term vision of a more inclusive, participatory, and citizen-centered democracy.
The organization remains committed to transforming global learning into local action, strengthening collaboration with partners, and ensuring that the voices of citizens; especially those most often excluded; are at the center of governance processes in Burundi and beyond.