Democratic Mini Public (Rathlin Citizens Panel)

Challenge

Rathlin Island, like many organisations, relies on a committee for decision- making, which can be challenging. A committee often struggles to reflect the full community’s views, and much of the work is rarely truly collective. Engaging all island residents on specific issues takes time and effort, making meaningful participation difficult to achieve.

Approach

Participatory Action Research is a collaborative approach where those affected by the subject are active partners in all stages, aiming to create socially just change. Research through Design (RtD) places design at the core of the process, followed by a political/design ethnography to examine its impact within community and social contexts.

Outcomes

The Rathlin Citizens Panel has produced 16 recommendations for the Department of Infrastructure, reflecting the community’s collective will. Dialogue with the Minister of Infrastructure has been enabled. This democratic infrastructure strengthens local agency and may reshape personal dynamics on the island, helping to build new relationships and repair existing ones.

Learnings

Ongoing learnings show early co-design is essential, and locally relevant, practical topics work best. Securing strong stakeholder support early is key. Budgeting challenges reveal insights on affordability. Context-specific methods build ownership. Clear public communication, relationship management, and engaging DMP ‘substitutes’ matter. Lack of anonymity also brings important learning opportunities.

Impact

The DMP has sparked policy debate in Northern Ireland, highlighting democratic innovation in the absence of similar models. Expert-led partnerships will support the community. Methodologies connect approaches to outcomes, particularly in facilitation design. Relationships built, though hard to quantify, matter deeply in small communities. Public engagement encourages wider community-led action.