The Brazilian megalopolis Recife offers to its citizens comprehensive opportunities of participating in decision-making.

Whether it is youth or neighborhood engagement, a future budget challenge or a land use decision, the coastal town of Hampton in the U.S. state of Virginia has shown that problems can be solved effectively and tight finances used in a more targeted way when citizens are actively involved with political decisions.

In British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada, a citizens' assembly was created out of the dissatisfaction of citizens with the electoral system in 2004. It was not affiliated to any party and members were put together at random. Its purpose was to put forward recommendations for reforms which then were voted on by the entire population through a referendum.

The West Coast of Australia: Here lies the town of Geraldton (40.000 inhabitants). Its participatory initiatives have made it clear that sustainable development and sustainable growth can only be achieved by joint co-operation between citizens, the economy, the civil society and the administration.

The seaport town of Portsmouth in the U.S. state of New Hampshire listens to its inhabitants: Under the name of "Portsmouth listens", citizens and municipal authorities have met since 1999 to discuss ongoing problems (ranging from the prevention of violence to the design of a town center) and develop solutions to these in so-called "study circles".