Democratic Capabilities Framework: Strengthening inclusive participation in democratic life

In INSPIRE's June Webinar, Oliver Escobar and Adrian Bua introduce the Democratic Capabilities Framework (DCF) as a conceptual and practical resource for reorienting the design and evaluation of participatory processes, as well as of policies that aim to support a more participatory democracy. Democratic capabilities are the real freedoms and opportunities that enable people to participate in democratic life. The DCF reflects the learning generated through the INSPIRE project working with marginalised communities in European contexts. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all framework, it is intended as a starting point – a structured lens that others can adapt or develop within their own social, political and institutional contexts. The DCF connects participation with systemic change. It aims to support people in the field of participation (e.g. funders, policymakers, commissioners, organisers, facilitators, advocates, researchers) to foreground structural factors that shape democratic life and determine what actions may advance democratic capabilities in their context.