The ITHACA project is entering an exciting and crucial phase. The citizens will have a chance to take part in the real-world pilot testing of the ITHACA innovative civic participation platform. Taking place in Martin, Slovakia (June 9–11, 2025) and Brașov, Romania (June 16–20, 2025), this milestone represents not just a technical achievement. It is a meaningful advancement in reimagining how citizens engage with local governance in a digital world.
Why This Matters
In an era where technology increasingly shapes how we connect, deliberate, and make decisions, the need for transparent, inclusive, and democratic digital tools has never been greater. The ITHACA platform is being developed to address this very challenge—placing citizen needs and voices at the center of digital innovation.
Built through a human-centered and value-driven design process, the platform aims to make participation accessible to all. Including marginalized and vulnerable groups who often face barriers to engagement. It will allow users to share ideas, give feedback, and participate in local decision-making processes easily and efficiently, fostering a new generation of civic technology rooted in European values of equity, fairness, and democratic integrity.
The Role of User Testing
The testing phase is a pivotal moment for ITHACA, as it shifts from development to direct interaction with future users. The insights gained from these sessions will ensure the platform is fit for purpose, intuitive to use, and responsive to the diverse ways people want to participate in shaping their communities.
Participants in the pilot testing will:
This co-creation approach places end-users at the heart of platform refinement, ensuring their experiences directly shape future updates and functionalities.
Collaboration Across Borders
The pilot testing is made possible through the close collaboration of ITHACA Consortium partners, particularly the City of Brașov and Martin, supported by academic and technical experts. It reflects ITHACA’s commitment to developing solutions that are not only technically sound but also socially responsive and grounded in real-world needs.
The pilot phase also reflects the project’s broader ambition: to explore how artificial intelligence can support inclusive, ethical, and effective civic engagement, while reinforcing democratic values and human rights in the digital age.
Looking Ahead
As the project continues to evolve, the data, stories, and lessons from these testing sessions will play a critical role in shaping the final version of the platform. We aim to ensure that it becomes a powerful tool for local governments and communities across Europe and beyond.
Let’s build the future of civic engagement—together.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Europe Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
