Governance
The newly inaugurated Puffin Foundation Center for New York City Activism explores how movements born in New York continue to inform the people working on issues that affect us all
NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA
Governance
Long before concerns about "kill switches," a grassroots open-source ecosystem laid the groundwork for this German city's break from US tech dependence
KIEL, GERMANY
Governance
He spoke to The Urban Activist about the importance of showing a fighting spirit every day—and the will of Kyiv’s residents to resist
KYIV, UKRAINE
Governance
At Bloomberg CityLab 2026 in Madrid, I explored what drives a dynamic network of city leaders and innovators, as tensions over affordable housing simmered in the background
MADRID, SPAIN
Governance
The loss of local businesses serving communities seemed inevitable across London—until grassroots groups, urban planning students, and residents stepped in
LONDON, UK
Governance
Amid tighter EU visa rules for Russian nationals, the children of Ukrainian soldiers find a moment of peace in Paris before Christmas
PARIS, FRANCE
Governance
From local schools to national governance, Simona Levi advocates digital sovereignty as a path to a better democracy
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Governance
The Council of Good Men has the legal authority to resolve disputes inside the Huerta de Murcia, a vast urban ecosystem that feeds Spain and Europe — but now it is time to use its power to protect it
MURCIA, SPAIN
Governance
Forty years after Mini-München was created, it continues to inspire children to engage in and shape the city they want
MUNICH, GERMANY
Governance
Activist and academic Fabrice Rizzoli, and victims’ families in Marseille, speak out to halt drug-related violence. Meanwhile, governments seize and repurpose gang members’ assets
MARSEILLE, FRANCE
Governance
In one Dutch city, tracking lobbying that would otherwise remain mostly undisclosed shows how much better policies could be in the whole country
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS
Governance
The Night Mayor in Amsterdam is leading nightclubs through change against homophobic, sexist and racist overtones to advance diversity and inclusivity in the city.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Governance
BCN Helpers is a twitter account for citizen collaboration in Barcelona, which maps in real time criminal offences on the streets to make the city safe.
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Governance
Backed by the willingness of conscious consumers Addiopizzo supports shopkeepers who don't pay extortion money to the Mafia in Palermo.
PALERMO, ITALY
Governance
Activist Hae-Lin Choi, co-founder of Hands Off NYC, explains why the worst of ICE operations may still be ahead in New York City — and how New Yorkers are preparing to resist
NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA
Governance
Founded by Chef José Andrés in Washington, D.C., the Global Food Institute trains future leaders to rethink how the United States and the world produce and consume food
WASHINGTON D.C., DC, USA
Governance
As civic freedoms rapidly decline, Mandeep Singh Tiwana steps into leadership at CIVICUS with a message of resistance — and argues civil society activism won’t back down
NEW YORK, NY, USA
Governance
The Legislative Youth Advisory Council in Washington State illustrates the importance of trusting nonpartisan viewpoints to legislate and find solutions at the local level
OLYMPIA, WA, USA
Governance
The Documenters program creates new public records, providing city dwellers full transparency at the local government level and the best that democracy can offer
CHICAGO, IL, USA
Governance
Online fakes are creating real-world divisions on the ground. But grassroots approaches seek to combat the ways that disinformation exploits our minds
SEATTLE, WA, USA
Governance
Wayne Liebman, founder of Public Access Democracy in LA, explains citizens’ assemblies and why they "need to be an arrow in democracies’ quiver.”
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA
Governance
Using the city as classroom, Revolution School intends to transform education and “break down the walls between learning and life.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA
Governance
How award-winning women in science and art have created a restorative platform for youth in custody through access to museums.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, USA
Governance
We Build The Block, a community-led movement co-founded by Michael K. Williams, Dana Rachlin and Shani Kulture, creates opportunities for youth to hold positions of power and reimagine how public safety is achieved in their neighbourhood.
NEW YORK, NY, USA
Governance
It's Easter Sunday, but the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is closed
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
Governance
A decade in, ‘Think Tanger’ has gained momentum as a bridge between youth aspirations and public institutions in the city’s urban development, amid rising demands for reform
TANGIER, MOROCCO
Governance
For a fragile peace to hold between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the focus must shift to those brokering reconciliation on the ground
BUKAVU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Governance
Amid the increasing division of Jerusalem, the American Colony Hotel on the East side remains committed to a radical inclusivity envisioned by its founders
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
Governance
From a visa odyssey to the One Young World Summit in Munich, these young women peacebuilders aren’t the future — they’re the present, and they need funding now
SOUTH SUDAN
Governance
Maha Al-Dhabhani established a shelter for stray dogs and cats in her city, Sanaa, Yemen, despite being comforted by criticism that aid should prioritize people
SANAA, YEMEN
Governance
Thanks to an army of volunteers, citizens in Turkmenistan circumvent internet censorship under The Tor Project
ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN
Governance
Sexual violence is a weapon of war – yet the unarmed response of Yazidi women in Duhok could change security and peace strategies forever
DUHOK, IRAQ
Governance
“Religious property is actually working against our religious objectives,” says priest activist Graham Singh on his plan for repurposed churches
MONTREAL, QC, CANADA
Governance
The savvy use of a current bottom-up governance model galvanize people to replant urban gardens in the informal settlements of Kampala
KAMPALA, UGANDA
Governance
In Kasserine, Tunisia, democracy is flourishing in public space. How is the city of Munich involved?
KASSERINE, TUNISIA
Governance
Haifa Subay is a Yemeni street artist putting her own life on the line to inspire a culture of peace in her city. Her artwork instigates fellow citizens to immerse themselves in the meaning of social change for peace.
ADEN, YEMEN