Impact

From community insight to global impact

How citizens are transforming governance worldwide

When people lead, stronger communities form, better solutions emerge, and real change happens.

From local voices to global change: How the GCA drives impact

The world’s biggest challenges—climate change, inequality, and failing political 
systems—cannot be solved without the voices of everyday people. The 
Global Citizens’ Assembly is proving that when citizens lead, better solutions 
emerge, stronger communities form, and real change happens.
 
For the GCA to drive real change, it must be trusted, influential, and 
institutionalised. The Assembly builds power through five impact channels:
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Institutional actions

Metric: policy specific uptake and implementation assessments

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Citizens actions

Metric: self and collective efficacy; and activity logging

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Solidarity (local, regional, national)

Metric: social capital [bonding + bridging]

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Learning at scale

Metric: Likert Learning Scale: retention, comprehension, self-reflection.

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Inclusion

Metric: global & vulnerability representativeness

A foundation for lasting legitimacy

To become a stable and recognised institution, the GCA is built on:
  • Inclusivity & Representation – Ensuring diverse participation across regions, demographics, and backgrounds.
  • Institutional Partnerships – Collaborating with the UN, governments, and global organisations.
  • Transparent Decision-Making – Open, accountable processes for deliberation and consensus.
  • Impact & Implementation – Turning citizen recommendations into real policy change.

By embedding citizen voices into governance, the GCA is reshaping decision-making for the future – ensuring people, not just politicians, shape the policies that affect them.

A global network adapting
to
different needs

Unlike rigid institutions, the GCA is dynamic – it adapts to emerging global issues and can cluster around specific challenges:
  • Local – Community Assemblies shape regional insights.
  • National – Governments and civil society drive policy.
  • Global – Citizen voices influence global decisions.

 

A permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly will drive impact through:

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Institutional actions



Assembly members will co-create and advocate for bold solutions to global challenges, accelerating progress on the triple planetary crisis and SDGs.

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Citizens’ actions



Members will develop Action Plans to drive change in their own communities, regardless of global leaders’ decisions.

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Solidarity

Bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to foster empathy, dialogue, and counteract division.

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Learning at scale

Members gain insights into climate science, global policies, and expert perspectives, enabling informed action.

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Inclusion



An open, radically inclusive assembly, ensuring voices from all cultures and communities are represented.

Impact stories:

Citizens creating change

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Izeldete Botelho, Brazil - From local artisan to environmental advocate

A 67-year-old artisan turned climate leader, Izeldete transformed her Uberlândia neighborhood into a model for zero-waste living after COP26. Now, she’s inspiring others to take action.

Read her story
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Dhirendra Kumar, India - A laborer’s fight for climate justice

A daily wage worker from Prayagraj, Dhirendra overcame economic hardship and lack of education to become a voice for the poor in the Global Citizens’ Assembly. He now leads local climate discussions and pushes for just policies.

Read his story
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Chom Chaiyabut, Thailand - From Village Roots to Global Voice

A young Thai environmentalist turns local action into global impact through the Global Citizens’ Assembly and COP26.

Read his story

Stories from a global community of changemakers

From activists to artisans, students to scientists, farmers to policymakers, people from every corner of the world are shaping the Global Citizens’ Assembly. Their stories emerge through community discussions, action plans, and lived experiences, showcasing how diverse voices – from local organisers to global advocates – are driving real change.