A new publication from the RETOOL Horizon project - The Impact of Deliberative Mini-Publics: Lessons from Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden - examines the impact of citizens’ assemblies and similar deliberative processes on climate action and democratic governance, drawing on a systematic review and three national case studies. The report develops an integrated analytical framework, reviews 121 articles on climate and energy deliberative processes, and identifies gaps in research and practice on justice, accountability, expertise and institutionalisation.
The report is intended to help policymakers, researchers and practitioners better understand when and how citizens’ assemblies can influence climate policy and governance. It emphasises the importance of clear purpose, strong political coupling, innovative communication, and deliberate follow-up for impact – themes that are reflected in the work of KNOCA.
Key findings
A new integrated framework. The report blends the RETOOL Analytical Framework with the KNOCA Impact Evaluation Framework to offer a practical way to assess DMP impact across multiple dimensions, including political coupling, governance innovation, legitimacy, and resource and knowledge flows.
Evidence base and gaps. A systematic review shows a growing literature on climate and energy assemblies, but persistent research gaps on how they affect justice and accountability, and how they shape expert knowledge and resourcing around policy processes.
Lessons from case studies. The Belgium, Ireland and Sweden case studies reveal contrasting pathways to influence: some assemblies were institutionalised and linked into formal decision-making; others had strong communicative effects but limited policy uptake. These differences highlight the role of political context and design choices in shaping outcomes.
Design priorities for impact. To maximise influence, assemblies should be designed with a clear purpose and intended audience, include mechanisms for political access and follow-up, and be supported by tailored communication strategies that translate deliberative outputs into politically relevant terms.
Risks and trade-offs. The report warns of tokenism if asseblies lack political coupling, and of challenges converting lay recommendations into technically robust policy without sustained engagement with expert systems. It calls for attention to equity in participant selection and to accountability mechanisms after the event.
