Held in Floriana, the second Local Citizens Panel – Politics of the Underrepresented saw participants including residents and citizens from across Malta reflect on what democracy looks like for those who feel unheard. Questions around trust in politics, the accessibility of decision-making spaces, and experiences of marginalisation fuelled rich, and at times emotional, discussions, leading to the elaboration of a set of recommendations to boost inclusive participation.

Recommendations for Inclusive Participation
Engaging Politicians and Institutions:

• Economic Incentives: Encourage public funds to support authorities engaging with diverse groups.
• Structural Changes: Introduce frameworks requiring institutions to engage marginalized voices.
• Local Council Participation: Advocate for greater inclusion of non-citizens in local governance structures.

Building Coalitions:

• Solidarity among movements fosters interconnected advocacy, strengthening the collective voice for change.
• Encourage collaboration across sectors (e.g., health justice, education reform, refugee rights) to highlight interlinked issues.

Education and Awareness:

• Embed civic education in curriculums, focusing on diversity, human rights, and political engagement.
• Partner with organizations to expose students to diverse perspectives and real- world policymaking challenges.

Fostering Informal Spaces:

• Create spaces where diverse groups can engage informally, breaking down barriers and fostering mutual understanding.

Empowering Communities:

• Support initiatives that amplify grassroots voices and create avenues for non- traditional participation.
• Promote “power of numbers” strategies, where unified movements can influence policymakers.

Politicians and institutions must move beyond addressing isolated issues and adopt a holistic, empathetic approach to policymaking. Representation should aim to include as many members of affected communities as possible in discussions and decisions.

Ideal Outcomes:

• Policymakers adopt inclusive practices, seeing beyond their personal biases or majoritarian assumptions.
• Minority voices not only shape policies but also actively contribute to decision- making structures.
• Societal systems embrace diversity, fostering a more equitable and participatory democracy.

The EU for Global project is funded by the European Union through the CERV programme.