With the 2011 Reinhard Mohn Prize, the Bertelsmann Stiftung wants to bring new momentum to the debate on how democratic systems can be made "future ready" by helping them respond to current and future challenges. We therefore carried out an international search to identify innovative, exemplary approaches to strengthening democracy through citizen engagement.

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.