Dialogue Platform
Our Stance
We connect people from different walks of life and create spaces for genuine encounters – online and offline.
For a supportive togethernessEvery voice counts. We give space to quiet or unconventional positions without judging them.
Diversity as strengthOur moderation ensures fair discussions without hate or propaganda. This keeps the exchange constructive.
Respect as a foundationWhether a neighborhood project or a nationwide debate – we tailor our formats to the specific needs on the ground.
Close to the peopleWe explain how decisions are made and which topics are currently being discussed. No opaque processes.
Openness builds trustDialogue is not a one-time event. We accompany processes long-term and ensure that results become visible.
Impact that lastsFrom the first idea to an established platform for citizen dialogue – the key milestones of our journey.
After a series of local citizen forums in Graz, the desire for a digital, open platform emerged. Initial discussions with municipal councilors and associations led to the outline of a moderated dialogue space.
With a small team, we developed a first prototype. During a six-week pilot phase, 120 participants from three municipalities tested the features. The feedback was directly incorporated into the revision.
The platform went online in spring 2021. After just six months, we recorded over 2,000 registered users. The first major discussion on the transport transition in Styria generated 450 contributions.
To ensure the quality of discussions, we introduced a tiered moderation system. Volunteer community moderators were trained, and a code of ethics was published. The number of reported violations dropped by 40 percent.
Collaborations with the University of Vienna and the City of Salzburg enabled topic-specific dialogue series. A new format – the "digital citizen consultation hour" – was used by an average of 300 people per month.
The platform now counts more than 10,000 active members. A youth advisory board was established to better integrate the perspectives of young people. A multilingual expansion is planned for 2025.
Further perspectives and suggestions for social exchange