Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership
The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership works with local governments, non-profit organizations, and residents to both promote and support constructive and broad-based civic involvement in decisions that affect people where they live and work.
Special Feature
Small Towns, Big Communities
November 1, 2021
"The new small town is not the boring, stagnant place illustrated in novels and movies. Instead, these small towns and cities are some of the most innovative places in the world."
By: Pooja Di Giovanna, Assistant Director
Latest Publication
How Local Government Is Leveraging Technology to Improve Public Engagement
October 21, 2021
"Local governments are tasked with finding ways to use data and technology to bring communities together, rather than pushing them apart. This is no easy task, as factors like age, income, and access affect how effectively different groups can use technology."
By: Michael Huling, Graduate Assistant
Our Mission
To help build stronger communities by promoting public participation in local governance.
Our Vision
To be a champion of greater civic engagement in local government to build stronger communities and greater confidence in local democracy.
What We Do
We offer comprehensive training opportunities in public engagement for local and regional local government leaders.
We offer various resources to help design, deliver, and promote inclusive, authentic, and effective public engagement.
We provide a unique platform which brings together partners in civic leadership and public participation in local government.
"At the heart of Davenport Institute's work is building—in some cases, rebuilding—trust between citizens and government. Public engagement is both a set of skills and a perspective on what's possible when the public and the public sector come together to customize policy solutions at the community level."
"The Davenport Institute provides the knowledge, resources, and practical support that local leaders need to engage the full diversity of resident voices to inform policy in a meaningful way on the perennial and emerging issues that shape our communities in the 21st century. Getting this right is vital to strengthen the foundation of local democracy."
"The old ways of doing business often limit seats and the table and don't always address the evolving needs of changing community demographics. The Davenport Institute provides current tools to engage your entire community during the civility of calm times or the incivility of crises."
Davenport Institute Case Studies
The Davenport Institute is launching a call for current case studies to help capture the rapidly expanding work of local communities towards civic engagement in California, and the amazing diversity of innovative approaches. The selected cases will be added to the Davenport Institute website under the Research and Studies section, featured on our social media, and incorporated into our trainings (where applicable).