Two Irish democracy initiatives reach finals of Innovation in Politics Awards across Europe

Ireland has two finalists in the annual Innovation in Politics Awards announced on Thursday, 2 March 2023. 80 finalists were selected from an entry of 337 political projects from 26 countries across Europe. The projects were selected by a citizens' jury of 1,045 persons with 10 finalists selected across 8 award categories. 
The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on 11 May 2023, at the Palace of Culture in Warsaw, Poland.

Since 2017, the Innovation in Politics Awards are presented annually to honour courageous and creative political work throughout Europe – regardless of party or country, recognising ground-breaking political initiatives that significantly impact people’s lives and strengthen democracy. The finalists represent a diverse range of innovative ideas that are making a real difference in their communities. They come from all levels of government, from local to national, and cover a broad range of categories.

Both Ireland's finalists are in the Democracy Award category and are:

(i) Cllr. Carmel Brady, Cavan County Council and Chair and Cllr. Shelly Herterich Quinn, Galway County Council and Vice-Chair for The WoMeN's Regional  Caucus. 

The WoMeN’s Regional Caucus is an association of female councillors from 13 municipal councils in the Western-Midlands-Northern region of Ireland. This ground-breaking addition to politics in Ireland brings together female councillors, regardless of political affiliation, to work collectively in advancing an agenda of leadership in areas that affect women and supporting women’s participation in politics. The WoMeN’s Regional Caucus is the first-time women from  neighbouring councils have worked together to bring about change. They have created a space to try different work methods, instead of adopting conventional ways of conducting politics. For example: they use flexible meeting arrangements, where two meetings covering the same business are held at different times of the day; information meetings required to aid decision-making are recorded for later viewing by those unable to attend; and decisions are taken by electronic polls that are left open for an extended period of time to allow all caucus members the opportunity to vote.

Councillor Brady commented: “Caucus members are thrilled, for the recognition by others, that the innovative approach of female councillors, from an entire region, working together makes a difference for women in local politics, improves policy-making and strengthens local democracy”.

(ii) Roderic O'Gorman Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth for the Youth Travel Card.

Minister Roderic O'Gorman strengthened the participation of young people in political decision making in Ireland. In 2019, Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils) voted at the Dáil na nÓg (national youth parliament) to promote sustainable transport, and Minister O'Gorman progressed this project with Comhairle na nÓg delegates over two years. Comhairle na nÓg delegates identified the areas young people wanted changed, including cycling and public transport. Minister O'Gorman provided them with guidance and expert advice as the delegates addressed the need for youth access to public transport. They identified barriers to using public transport which prevent young people from engaging in community and civic life. Affordability emerged as a major barrier.

In July 2021, they proposed a Youth Travel Card for the Irish Government's National Budget 2022. They proposed a 50% discount on all public-transport systems for all young people, up to the age of 23. The proposal was accepted and announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform during the October 2022 National Budget announcement. The Youth Travel Card is now in place and recognised as a key achievement of including youth voices in public policy  making. This is the first time in history a proposal from Dáil na nÓG (national youth parliament) and Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils) has been included in the Government's National Budget. The Youth Travel Card makes public transport sustainable and affordable to young people in Ireland, especially in rural
Ireland.

Minister O’Gorman commented: “I am delighted to see the hard work and passionate campaigning of Comhairle na nÓg recognised as part of the innovation in Politics Award. Their work in developing and promoting the idea of a Youth Travel Card to both Minister Eamon Ryan and I has led directly to more affordable public transport for many thousands of young people across Ireland”.

A full list of the 80 finalists across the 8 award categories is available here The Innovation in Politics Awards are presented and organised by the Vienna-based Innovation in Politics Institute. Founded in 2017, they have become a leading platform for innovative politicians and citizens to share and exchange ideas on the development and improvement of democracy. Dublin City University’s School of Law and Government is the Irish partner of the Institute. Its Professor of Public Public Practice, Deiric Ó Broin said: “The Awards showcase examples of good politics, which is critically important when we see the challenges democracy itself faces and when trust in politics and democratic and inclusive processes are more important than ever”