The Democracy Narratives Alliance (DNA) is a global initiative bringing together 40+ organizations, research institutions, and funders to shift how we talk about democracy.
Democracy is under pressure everywhere — yet the dominant narratives around elections and the defense of democracy are failing. Citizens want more than voting; they want meaningful participation in the decisions that shape their lives. Behavioral science and communications research from across the globe confirms this, but that research has remained fragmented and disconnected from practice.
DNA changes that. We synthesize global research and translate it into coordinated action — developing and systematically testing compelling narratives, aligning communications strategies, and building tools that democracy advocates can actually use.
What we do:
1. Develop and promote narratives, messaging, and framing strategies that grow public support for and engagement in democracy
2. Align communications across leading democracy organizations, using shared tools and approaches
3. Build resources for testing and applying new narratives at global, national, and local levels
DNA operates under the umbrella of the Global Democracy Coalition and is coordinated by People Powered in collaboration with International IDEA, the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Busara, Fundación Corona, FrameWorks Institute and the SNF Agora Institute, with initial funding from Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Jump to:
1. Resources
2. Activities
3. Alliance Members
4. Events
Resources
How to Talk About Democracy: What We Know (And Don’t Know)
This research brief maps the dominant narratives shaping how people understand democracy today — and what to do about them. It identifies five categories of democracy narratives, each paired with practical counter-narrative strategies, and offers concrete guidance on how values, audience, framing, and message structure determine whether communications land. Whether you’re looking to counter disengagement, build participation, or sharpen your advocacy, this brief gives you an evidence-based foundation for more effective communication.
Democracy Narratives: What Are They and How Do They Matter for Democratic Engagement and Behavior?
This systematic literature review examines how narratives about democracy shape democratic engagement and behavior. Drawing on academic and practitioner literature, the report explores how people’s mental models, communication environments, and lived experiences influence whether they participate in democratic processes or disengage from them. The study highlights the importance of narratives in shaping democratic practices and sustaining democratic systems.
From Narrative to Action: Fostering Democratic Engagement and Engaged Citizens through Behavior Change
This thought piece examines how narratives about democracy translate into real democratic behavior and participation. Drawing on behavioral science, it frames democracy not only as a system of institutions but as a set of everyday actions carried out by citizens and institutions. Using the COM-B behavior change model, the report outlines how capability, opportunity, and motivation shape whether people engage in democratic practices.
Activities
Changing how people think about and act on democratic participation requires coordinated action. DNA has developed an action agenda to connect global research to on-the-ground application in strategic communications, resource development, and technical assistance, ensuring that learning from practice feeds back into the field and informs new research.
Working together, alliance members have developed, prioritized, and begun to implement concrete activities spanning research, strategic communications, technical support, and learning exchanges — each described briefly below. Please contact us if you are interested in collaborating on any of the activities.
Narrative Research for Practice
Build on existing research by DNA members and partners to develop practical insights for questions such as:
1. What are the most salient mental models of democracy in different contexts?
2. What is the relationship between mental models of democracy and actions?
3. What is required for coordinated, diverse and effective collective narrative action in support of democracy?
4. What is the effective infrastructure needed to create narrative change?
Applied Research Support
Provide support and guidance to DNA members and other partners for testing narratives and narrative strategies in specific local contexts.
Democracy Stories Lab
Invite creatives worldwide to submit stories and creative content that apply the DNA research and reimagine the future of democracy, bringing pro-democracy messaging beyond traditional advocacy circles.
Democracy Narratives Playbook
Adapt global democracy narrative research and existing playbooks into consolidated practical guidance in a living shared resource.
Learning Events
Organize quarterly virtual learning events for DNA members and two public webinars each year, to synthesize and share key learning from the DNA members and initiatives, and then publicize it through communications channels.
High-Level Advocacy
Equip advocates with the tools to persuade skeptical peers, influence institutional and donor priorities, and open structured dialogue between high-level officials, civil society, and citizens.
Research & Testing Synthesis Agent
Create an AI tool to collect and organize what DNA members are learning across countries and projects — from research findings and testing results to practitioner reflections — and turn it into clear, practical guidance. It will produce short briefs and recommendations that answer the questions democracy advocates are facing.
Collaboration with Influencers
Build meaningful, reciprocal relationships between democracy organizations and influencers to expand the reach of democracy narratives. Learn from influencers’ audience-building strategies while supporting an emerging ecosystem of creators through shared insights and access to research and funding opportunities.
Technical Assistance for Narrative Work
Support civil society organizations with targeted, pro-democratic strategic communications to strengthen civic participation during critical social and political processes, helping them reach the right audiences with the right messages at the right moment.
Democracy Narratives Support for Youth
Provide mentorship and training to a global cohort of young leaders to design and communicate pro-democracy narrative strategies that address local challenges to democratic participation.
Pro-Democracy Narratives Fund
Design a flexible, trust-based fund that supports organizations working on democracy narratives.
Interested in partnering or supporting one of these initiatives? Contact People Powered.
Alliance Members
Alliance Steering Committee
Events
Democracy Narratives: What works—and what doesn’t
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM 10:30 AM EST
Join us for the release of new global research on how narratives can strengthen democracy – and why this matters now more than ever. The new set of research materials synthesizes nearly 400 academic and practitioner publications, evidence from over 150 studies, and insights from more than 30 international organizations and funders.
Whether you work in communications, research, community engagement, policy, or organizing, this webinar will provide powerful insights and tools to help you inspire democratic participation and action.
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