Starts
9:00 am—June 10, 2025
Ends
5:30 pm—June 11, 2025
To mark ten years since TICTeC began, mySociety hosted the 8th Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC) on 10 & 11 June 2025 in Mechelen, and online.

Resources

Supporters

TICTeC 2025

In light of exceptional political times, and that 2025 marked 10 years since TICTeC began, TICTeC 2025 had a renewed focus on “Pro-Democracy Technology”.

The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC) 2025 took place in Mechelen (Belgium) and online on 10 and 11 June 2025, with thanks to support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Porticus, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Global Innovation Hub, Meet in Mechelen and Stad Mechelen.

TICTeC 2025 bought together 212 civic technologists, philanthropists, government and civil society representatives – 134 in-person and 78 online – and 37 countries were represented.

Thank you to all the wonderful TICTeC 2025 speakers, attendees and sponsors/supporters.

The schedule of sessions that took place can be viewed below. Where there are videos and slides for a session, you can access them via the Schedule page below. Just click on ‘see session detail’ to see which resources there are.


TICTeC 2025’s core themes

Threats to democracy and civic power are rising across the world.

Anti-democratic actors aren’t standing still – and are constantly learning how to use technology to extend their power and control over people.

Democracy’s reaction to this needs to be not to reject technology but to use it to evolve and compete, particularly in addressing society-changing issues like climate change.

Democracy needs to be fast, effective and popular, and technology can and is helping to achieve this.

That’s why TICTeC exists – to highlight and examine these pro-democracy technologies, in a collaborative and safe space.

The 2025 TICTeC conference focused on exploring the impact of pro-democracy tech innovations across several critical themes: Access to information (ATI) and open data; Democracy, people and politics; and climate change.

In each of these areas, we explored ‘defensive’ and ‘constructive’ approaches. Defensive approaches safeguard the openness democracy needs to operate – while constructive approaches build the capacity of the engine of democratic progress.


Supporters

We are very grateful to Porticus, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Global Innovation Hub, Meet in Mechelen and Stad Mechelen for their generous support of TICTeC 2025.

Future TICTeC conferences are currently unfunded, and we’re seeking supporters and sponsors to help keep them going. TICTeC is the only global conference that brings together the people who are actively building, using and researching technology to improve democracy—not just talking about change, but making it happen. If you’d like to support mySociety in continuing to convene this unique, action-focused community, please get in touch.


Stay tuned

If you’d like to be kept informed of our next TICTeC activities and events, please sign up for updates or get in touch if you have any questions.

Image credits: Meet in Mechelen







 

Schedule

10 June 2025

9:15 am

Conference registration & refreshments

Only registered attendees can attend. Sign up here if you’d like to come!

Where: Mechelen-Centraal (First floor of Lamot Congress and Heritage Centre)

10:00 am

10:00 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Welcome to TICTeC 2025

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Opening words from mySociety's Chief Executive.
See session detail

10:15 am

10:15 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Welcome to Mechelen, TICTeC 2025’s host city

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Speakers
  • Filip Van Laer (Meet in Mechelen)
A few words from Filip from Meet in Mechelen to welcome TICTeC attendees to his city.
See session detail

10:30 am

10:30 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Keynote address: Reclaiming democratic technology governance for our society

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
As a global society, we are navigating a delicate line between the good that tech can do for democracy, and the dangers of letting self-interested tech giants dominate the field. It serves us to examine how authoritarian regimes are using tech, and to ask, can democracies reclaim sovereignty and stand up for the interests of citizens?
See session detail

11:15 am

11:15 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Defending democracy with/from tech

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
What is the role of tech in a global pro democracy movement? Our panel discusses the challenges posed by tech, and the potential to repurpose technology in democratic defence.
See session detail

11:45 am

Refreshment break

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

12:00 pm

12:00 pm

Meet & chat

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Your annual chance to mix with the community that understands you best. Find the folk doing similar work to you, facing the same challenges or working towards the same aims.
See session detail

12:30 pm

Standing buffet lunch

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

1:30 pm

1:30 pm · Auditorium

OPTION 1: Tech for better elections
Countering information disorder in Nigerian elections

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Tasked to identify trends and actors fuelling information disorder ahead of the elections, the CDD West Africa team launched a social media chatbot, allowing users to directly report claims from their own social media channels. The submitted claims enabled the team to upload verified fact-checks, granting users real-time access to accurate information.
See session detail
Empowering young voters through Voting Aid Applications

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
In times of increasing misinformation and declining voter turnout, particularly among younger generations, well-designed Voting Aid Applications (VAAs) can play a pivotal role in revitalising democratic engagement. Gain insights into best practices for creating high-quality VAAs that increase (informed) voting and strengthen the electoral process and institutions.
See session detail
Quick count with cutting-edge technology tools on the 2024 Venezuelan elections
The 2024 elections were the most important in the modern history of Venezuela. A quick count project aimed to provide the real results of the elections to stakeholders immediately — and was a huge success, providing the election results before the regime announced the results in a public broadcast. Please note, this session won't be livestreamed.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Tech for better elections’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)
See session detail

1:30 pm · Dijlezaal

OPTION 2: Enabling pro-democracy technology: what do we need from government and public authorities?
Many previous developments in civic tech and pro-democracy tech have been made possible by the actions of governments, parliaments and other authorities, through legislation, access to information (such as data, transcripts or code) or even funding. But what enabling infrastructure, policies and approaches should we be demanding of governments now? Join this short workshop to discuss.
See session detail

1:30 pm · Herten Aas

OPTION 3: Defending democracy, internet freedom and digital security
What digital security solutions [don’t] work for civil society organisations
Civil society organisations combat dictatorships, corruption, election falsifications, etc — and so are natural enemies to actors with huge amount of resources and motivation to fight back. Hear RESIDENT.ngo's experience with recent sophisticated attacks in Eastern Europe, and learn what measures actually work for small to medium civil society organisations. Please note: This session won't be livestreamed or recorded.
See session detail
Anti-Corruption, Collaboration, and Capacity: How African Civil Society is advancing Pro-Democracy Innovation

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
There is a growing global democratic crisis, whilst civic actors in Africa have decreased access to funding and resources, and suffer significantly from massive digital inequalities. What does it take to build sustainable civic tech capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa and how can past innovations inform scalable support for digital democracy?
See session detail
New Belarus: showcasing digital innovation to strengthen democracy, transparency, and civic participation

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
In response to the 2020 Belarusian election crisis, New Belarus emerged as a digital ecosystem (mobile app + web platform), uniting Belarusians worldwide. Its mission transcends technology by building a resilient global Belarusian community committed to freedom and democracy, through an array of digital and civic tech initiatives.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Defending democracy, internet freedom and digital security’ session (i.e. the above presentations)
See session detail

2:45 pm

Refreshment break

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

3:00 pm

3:00 pm · Auditorium

OPTION 1: Access to Information for the public good
Infrastructure for democracy: how Abrimos.info is transforming governance in Latin America

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Abrimos.info is a newly established organisation with a mission to strengthen democracy across Latin America by building and scaling digital infrastructures that promote transparency, accountability, and public participation. Discover how they are driving measurable impact in transparency around public officials' disclosures, contracting information and Access to Information.
See session detail
Unveiling the power of transparency: how Access to Information exposed systemic failures in Poland’s 2020 elections

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
The 2020 Polish presidential elections demonstrated how Access to Information can play a pivotal role in uncovering abuses of power. Discover how Citizens Network Watchdog Poland used FOI to file criminal complaints against mayors for illegal data transfers, holding authorities accountable, exposing institutional failures, and challenging unlawful actions.
See session detail
Data to advance equity, inclusion, and sustainability

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
The Global Data Barometer provides fresh insights into how data is being governed, shared and used to advance the public good, with a special focus on the Global South. Learn about key recommendations for strengthening data ecosystems, including fostering collaborations between civic tech actors, governments, and researchers to promote evidence-based decision-making and policy innovation.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Access to Information for the public good’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

3:00 pm · Dijlezaal

OPTION 2: How can AI and civic tech build consensus for climate policy and include the voices of future generations?
Take part in a real-time simulation around pathways for decarbonisation in this workshop. Research shows that most people agree about the risks and severe impacts of climate change, but there is disagreement on how to address the problem. See first hand how a tool that integrates online deliberation with the power of generative AI aims to break this deadlock.
See session detail

3:00 pm · Herten Aas / Livestreamed

OPTION 3: Fostering usage of pro-democracy technology
Changing the argument for using civic technology

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
The moral and ethical case for Pro-Democracy Technology has been made for many years. Despite decades of effort, little has changed. The argument that politicians must “do this because it’s the right thing to do” has not been successful. The rise of far-right populist parties across the world implores us to consider a different approach.
See session detail
Solving climate data deserts on the municipal level: Climate Diaries

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Accessing, understanding, and utilising municipal-level data related to climate governance in Brazil presents significant challenges. Hear how six organisations with expertise in climate journalism, transparency, and open data made a coalition to build an open source platform that collects, processes, and shares local climate-related official acts from 504 cities (and counting!), making them easily accessible and allowing for customised monitoring.
See session detail
Dream Con: how civic tech puts citizens at the centre of constitutional reform

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Thailand has experienced 13 coups in 90 years, leading to 20 versions of constitutions, each tailored to the power-holders of the time. In response, the WeVis team — directly affected by the latest constitution — aimed to shift the dynamic by empowering citizens to actively participate in redesigning the constitution.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Fostering usage of pro-democracy technology’ session (i.e. the above presentations)

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

4:15 pm

Refreshment break

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

4:30 pm

4:30 pm · Auditorium

OPTION 1: Democratic literacy and participation
Making Pakistan’s constitution accessible through AI

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
What if anyone could understand their constitutional rights by simply asking questions in their own language? Numainda, Code for Pakistan's AI-powered legislative bot, turns this possibility into reality by breaking down the country's constitution and legislation into clear, actionable information in both Urdu and English.
See session detail
Localised agenda alerts create engaged, informed citizens

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Public meetings are an important part of democracy, but they are not always well-attended. Creating localised and real-time agenda alerts allows people to be engaged, informed citizens. Learn how one Indigenous nation is employing natural language processing to uphold sovereignty and rights in the 21st century.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Democratic literacy and participation’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

4:30 pm · Dijlezaael

OPTION 2: Unconference sessions
Unconference session 1: Risks of using Big Tech for Civic Tech work. What can we do about it at our organisations level?
See session detail
Unconference session 2: How to raise awareness and involve people that are outside of the civic bubble and not engaged with democracy?
See session detail
Unconference session 3: What should civic tech achieve/look like by 2050 in a solar version of the future?
See session detail

4:30 pm · Herten Aas

OPTION 3: AI and governance
Breaking AI monopolies: building public AI as an alternative infrastructure

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
As AI systems become fundamental to civic participation, their concentration in the hands of a few tech giants poses critical challenges to digital sovereignty and civic empowerment. Public AI could serve as a democratic counterweight to commercial AI systems, enabling civic tech organisations to maintain independence while harnessing AI's potential.
See session detail
Putting the humans back in: Manchester People’s Panel for AI

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
AI-enabled services should reflect the wants, hopes, and needs of the people they are designed to serve. Discover the positive impact of a democratic approach to AI in expanding access to education and improving the use, effectiveness and inclusivity of new initiatives within the communities they serve.
See session detail
Community-led AI audits: why they matter and how to start one

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Audits of AI systems looked at predictive algorithms in the criminal justice system; discrimination by ride-hailing platforms; and city-level social services — and had real impact. You too can lead audits of AI systems affecting your own communities. Together we can hold these systems accountable for equitable outcomes in the real world.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘AI and governance’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

5:45 pm

Drinks & nibbles reception

We’re delighted that Stad Mechelen/the City of Mechelen will host the TICTeC drinks reception at their beautiful City Hall (also known as Keldermans Zaal), which is a 10 minute walk from the venue. 

TICTeC attendees will be guided to the City Hall on foot by our friends at Meet in Mechelen.

We thank both Stad Mechelen and Meet in Mechelen for their support.

 

7:45 pm

End of Day 1

11 June 2025

9:00 am

Arrival & refreshments

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

9:15 am

9:15 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Welcome to TICTeC day two

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

9:30 am

9:30 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Keynote address: A stronger democracy – through data, information and technology

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
What is made possible by new forms of technology — especially in the civic participation space — and what needs to happen to make those possibilities a reality? Tech innovations are making political participation easier and more accessible across the globe, while open data and access to information continue to play a vital part in strengthening our democracies. Fernanda will draw on her latest research as lead of the State Capacity in Smart Cities for Online Participation (SCOPE) project.
See session detail

10:15 am

10:15 am · Auditorium / Livestreamed

Growing the Open Society: Tech and democratic innovation

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Can tech strengthen democracy by making new approaches possible? This panel explores the constructive possibilities of tech and democracy, to build the capacity of the engine of democratic progress, increase democratic trust and resilience, and strengthen the heartbeat of civic and democratic life.
See session detail

11:00 am

Refreshment break

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

11:15 am

11:15 am · Auditorium

OPTION 1: Tech for deliberation and participation
Waves: trialling a new AI-powered digital deliberation process to strengthen trust in local government

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Demos is leading the largest trial of digital democracy in the UK. Waves is a €1 million project trialling new technology in local democracy to bring people together to tackle contentious local issues and strengthen trust in local government.
See session detail
Why consultation matters: the impact of 10 million voices

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Public consultation is often seen as a bureaucratic exercise: a checkbox for government departments and public sector organisations to tick — but the reality is far more profound. Through Delib's decades of experience of powering some of the biggest national conversations, they've seen how meaningful consultation fundamentally changes policy outcomes and strengthens democratic decision-making.
See session detail
Pol.is 2.0 sneak preview

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Polis is a real-time system for gathering, analyzing and understanding what large groups of people think in their own words, enabled by advanced statistics and machine learning. Polis has been used all over the world by governments, academics, independent media and citizens, and is completely open source. Join this session to hear the latest on the Polis project.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Tech for deliberation and participation’ session (i.e. the above presentations)

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

11:15 am · Dijlezaal

OPTION 2: Leveraging civic tech to track climate finance and curb corruption
An interactive workshop to document challenges, lessons, and strategies for leveraging civic tech to track climate finance and curb corruption. Insights from the workshop will contribute to a white paper on actionable civic tech solutions and strengthen a community of practice.
See session detail

11:15 am · Herten Aas

OPTION 3: Democratic transparency and parliamentary monitoring
The impact of the Promise Tracker tool

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
The Promise Tracker, launched in 2023, tracks government and opposition promises to enhance accountability and foster participatory democracy. See how civic tech can transform governance by bridging the gap between data, dialogue, and accountability. By empowering citizens with actionable insights, it also bolsters democratic participation.
See session detail
What MPs really do: turning data into democratic power in Spain

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
'Qué Hacen Los Diputados' (What MPs Do) addresses gaps in parliamentary transparency and accountability, addressing a persistent reality: public institutions often lag in transparency and accountability without citizen pressure. The project organises parliamentary data in an accessible, user-friendly format — invaluable for citizens, journalists, researchers, and civil society, and fostering informed participation.
See session detail
Tainan City Council Watchbot: empowering informed citizens through AI

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
The Tainan City Council WatchBot uses the proceedings released by Tainan City Council to train its AI-powered system to analyse and respond to questions about the council's proceedings. It provides a user-friendly interface that guides citizens to quickly find answers, accompanied by relevant meeting sources to support traceability — and is all open source.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Democratic transparency and parliamentary monitoring’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
See session detail

12:30 pm

Standing buffet lunch

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

1:30 pm

1:30 pm · Auditorium

OPTION 1: Harnessing the power of data and AI for climate action
Civic tech for investigative impact: how data-driven journalism strengthens transparency and democracy

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Discover the measurable impact of civic tech to enhance transparency, accountability, and environmental protection, and how investigative journalism can utilise data tools to drive democratic outcomes. Case studies involving Brazilian journalists show how by connecting disparate datasets, patterns of corruption, environmental violations, and misuse of public resources can be uncovered.
See session detail
Using civic tech to supercharge lobbying transparency

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Discover Open Access, the tool from Transparency International which makes lobbying data in the UK more accessible to all. Within the area of climate, analysis shows patterns of lobbying by fossil fuel companies. Learn how the tool uncovered this — and how to conduct a similar analysis around your own interests.
See session detail
Providing cities with critical environmental data to unlock climate solutions
The climate emergency calls for systemic, global efforts to reduce emissions, transition energy systems, and make economies more sustainable. AI and collective action can help. Google provides several AI tools for cities to draw insights, to take action at scale and to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. Please note: This session won't be livestreamed or recorded.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Harnessing the power of data and AI for climate action’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)
See session detail

1:30 pm · Dijlezaal

OPTION 2: Connect, collaborate, create: The g0v approach to civic tech
This workshop will delve into actionable strategies for creating impactful civic tech projects. It draws inspiration and guidance from the g0v civic tech handbook born from Taiwan's vibrant grassroots tech community. g0v's core principles of self-organisation, open-source collaboration, and bi-monthly hackathons have fostered a dynamic environment for innovation.
See session detail

1:30 pm · Herten Aas / Livestreamed

OPTION 3: How do you know if your work is making an impact?

Livestream available for registered online attendees only

Over the past year, mySociety and OpenUp have been working closely with SPOON and the Átlátszónet Foundation, both organisations focus on improving access to government information, to explore a critical but often overlooked question: How do you know if your projects are actually making a difference?

In this insightful session, Liset and Krisztina will share their hands-on experiences, practical methodologies, and key findings from their efforts to —for the first time— track and measure the impact of their projects.

You'll also hear from OpenUp about how they’ve successfully demonstrated the value of their work through innovative impact measurement.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your evaluation strategies, this panel will equip you with ideas, tools, and inspiration to better assess and communicate the impact of your work — and ultimately, to drive more meaningful change.

See session detail

2:45 pm

Refreshment break

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

3:00 pm

3:00 pm · Auditorium

OPTION 1: Public-interest tech
Directions for ‘civic social media’: designing and managing trusted online community spaces

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Recent developments at Facebook and X have shown the need for 'civic social media' platforms — thriving and trusted digital meeting spaces that allow communities to safely meet, without economic exploitation or the fear of harassment. What does it take to design and manage such sites?
See session detail
MyMzansi: building South Africa’s democratic digital public infrastructure

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Practical insights from South Africa's groundbreaking Digital Mzansi initiative — a comprehensive programme to transform government service delivery through democratic Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Hear of the concrete progress that has been made, and plans for building open, inclusive digital systems that reach millions of citizens.
See session detail
The current state of open government and digital transparency in the Netherlands

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
Discover three of Open State Foundation's most impactful pro-democracy projects in the Netherlands, including a search tool to make documents of all levels of government more findable; research on late responses to Access to Information requests; and open calendars of ministerial meetings that anyone can subscribe to.
See session detail
Q&A for ‘Public-interest tech’ session (i.e. the above three presentations)
See session detail

3:00 pm · Dijlezaal

OPTION 2: Short workshops
3:00pm: Co-creating urban spaces in Mechelen using Extended Reality and innovative participatory design 
Whilst enjoying views of the Dijle river itself, join local researchers from Mechelen-based Thomas Moore University of Applied Sciences to hear about their work with the City of Mechelen on an innovative civic participation project that aims to make areas around the river more inclusive, sustainable and enriching. Designed using an innovative co-creation process, the project incorporates not only inputs from citizens, but also the perspectives of other living organisms. Attendees will have the chance to experience the project's Extended Reality techniques used to gather citizen feedback. 
See session detail
3:40pm: Democratic innovation through AI in parliaments
Westminster Foundation for Democracy recently published the world’s first guidelines for integrating AI in parliamentary functions. In this interactive short workshop, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, together with a representative of the Hellenic Parliament, will discuss the real-life cases of the use of AI to foster innovation and resilience in parliaments worldwide.
See session detail

3:00 pm · Herten Aas

OPTION 3: Short workshops
3:00pm: Testing information literacy, and popular assumptions about how to tell if something is AI-generated
Information literacy is crucial for democracies in the digital age. Having the skills and information to assess the trustworthiness of content encountered online is a key component of information literacy. Take part in an exercise to test your information literacy, as well as popular assumptions about how to tell if something is AI-generated.
See session detail
3:40pm: Time for interoperability- how civic tech solutions integrate to engage citizens at scale
Civic tech professionals are increasingly choosing integration as a strategic approach to enhance their impact. By connecting tools, platforms, and methodologies, they are creating more seamless and inclusive pathways for mobilisation and participation. Learn how AI-driven tools, participatory platforms, and mobilisation technologies collaborate to engage citizens at scale and address societal challenges effectively.
See session detail

4:15 pm

Refreshment break

Where: Mechelen-Centraal + outdoor terrace, weather permitting (First floor)

4:30 pm

4:30 pm · Auditorium / Livestreamed

The future of tech, the future of TICTeC: Navigating AI in Pro-Democracy Tech

Livestream available for registered online attendees only
As the rapid development of AI reshapes how societies function, how should the civic and pro-democracy tech communities respond? Join mySociety’s CEO, Programme Leads, and special guests for a lively and interactive discussion on striking the right balance between automation and human agency in pro-democracy tech—and how TICTeC initiatives might help shape this critical frontier going forwards. In this final session of TICTeC 2025 before we all head our separate ways, come ready to share your ideas, challenge assumptions, and help shape the conversation.
See session detail

5:30 pm

End of Conference