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".

In order to do something about the great structural inequality, the municipal authorities of the Brazilian metropolis Belo Horizonte (5 million inhabitants) resolved a special course of action: The citizens themselves should be allowed to decide where the money goes. Since the introduction of the participatory budget more the 1.000 measures have been carried out. A process which has permanently changed the lives of people in the city.

With almost 700.000 inhabitants one of the largest cities in Argentina, La Plata involves its citizens more and more in the allocation of public funds. The living conditions in La Plata have improved greatly through the introduction of the participatory budget and this has been through the active involvement of those affected.