• In the best case scenario, further assemblies or follow on processes are also set up, either involving some of the same participants, or new randomly selected participants. These may be fulfil different roles in the policy cycle such as monitoring implementation of the recommendations or further refinement during policy development.
• Commissioning authorities should provide a very clear mandate and remit for a citizens’ assembly, such that a) it is clear from the outset how the recommendations will be taken up and followed and b) there is a clear question/issue presented to the assembly that is not too broad (which can result in the deliberation and recommendations remaining at too general a level for them to be practically useful). 
• ​​​​​​​Commissioning authorities usually engage an expert, independent organisation to recruit, organise and facilitate a citizens’ assembly. 
• Commissioning authorities should embrace a culture of openness around the rationale and decisionmaking process around the citizens’ assembly, such that it can stand up to public scrutiny. 

1. Preparation phase 

• Commissioning authorities need to think about why they want to convene a citizens’ assembly, and have a clear rationale and honesty about their expectations. They should be clear and transparent from the outset how they intend to receive and respond to any outputs.  
• Important to note that people working in and with the city government should have the opportunity to learn about the approach and get on board with the process.  
• Then a topic for the assembly is chosen with the possible collaboration with a range of stakeholders with diverse perspectives, which can include citizens. This helps to ensure that stakeholders and citizens feel ownership and autonomy around the process. 
• A governance body should be organised made up with a range of stakeholders and external experts who are knowledgeable about the process. They provide advice throughout the process on best practice and providing further information on the topic. 

2. Recruitment 

• Citizens are selected through random stratified selection, with the aim of achieving a group that is broadly representative of the wider community. An external organisation specialising in this is usually recruited. A range of demographic criteria can be included including gender, age, education, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and more. Some assemblies also stratify for attitudes or political affiliation to ensure that there is diversity in these terms as well.  
• Participants are financially compensated for their labour. In addition, the assembly can further support participation with e.g. childcare and transport costs.  

3. Orientation and learning 

• Facilitators and organisers work to ensure that participants feel welcome, secure and comfortable. This is done through exercises to build a sense of common purpose and intention. 
• Participants learn more about their task and how their input will be used by the city. City government representatives should be present and meet participants.  
• Participants begin to learn about the issue at hand. Typically, this is done through presentations, Q&As, videos, written material from a range of experts in the subject. They may include site visits or tours, lived experience and testimony from people affected by or knowledgeable about the issue. It is crucial that participants hear a diversity of views and they have the opportunity to request more information and call for certain speakers to contribute.  

4. Deliberation 

• Participants deliberate over the information provided during the learning phase, related issues, and possible recommendations. Discussions are usually guided by a facilitator/s whose role it is to support the participants and guide them through the process – not guide them towards a specific outcome. 

5. Recommendations 

• Participants work together to draft, refine and define recommendations that they will present to commissioning authorities. This usually requires some kind of decisionmaking process which can vary. It might involve a vote, it might be consensus-based. It usually allows for the inclusion of a minority viewpoint. 
• The preparation of recommendations is best done either by participants themselves or in collaboration with them and the organisers. Minority views should be included in the final report and members of the assembly typically present their final outputs to commissioning authorities.  

6. Response and follow up  

• Authorities then provide an official response to the assembly by explaining how they are going to use the assembly’s recommendations, following the commitments given at the outset.  
• Commissioning authorities then provide regular updates on the progress of action on the recommendations, such as policy development, funding and implementation.  ​​​​​​​

Citizens’ Assemblies should be evaluated according to process (how well was it organised and run, participant experience, integrity and quality of the process) and outcomes (quality of recommendations, government response, which recommendations were implemented, how are authorities held accountable).  

Citizens' Assemblies. Basic standards for organising citizens' assemblies. Retrieved from https://citizensassemblies.org/standards/

Gerwin, M. (2018). Citizens' Assemblies. Guide to democracy that works. Retrieved from https://citizensassemblies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Citizens-Assemblies_EN_web.pdf

OECD. Good Practice Principles for Deliberative Processes for Public Decision Making. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/gov/open-government/good-practice-principles-for-deliberative-processes-for-public-decision-making.pdf