General Help

Inspire is a space built for meaningful, inclusive, and respectful public participation. Whether you are co-creating policy, contributing ideas, or engaging in dialogue, these guidelines are here to support a healthy and constructive environment for all participants.

We welcome everyone who wants to collaborate towards democratic innovation and just futures. By taking part in this platform, you agree to uphold these principles of participation to ensure a safe, respectful, and equitable experience for everyone.

Our Shared Values

We strive to build a community that is:

• Inclusive: welcoming and valuing diverse perspectives.

• Respectful: treating others with dignity, even when we disagree.

• Collaborative: supporting each other in working towards shared goals.

• Transparent: open about intentions, processes, and outcomes.

• Accountable: taking responsibility for actions and their impacts.

Who These Guidelines Apply To

These guidelines apply to all participants on the Inspire: Democracy platform and during any related activities (online or offline), including:

• Participating in assemblies and processes

• Posting proposals, comments, or arguments

• Messaging other users

• Organising or attending platform-related meetings or events

• Using any communication channels linked to the platform (e.g. forums, email updates)

Expected Behavior

Respect and Care

• Treat others with kindness and empathy.

• Listen actively and acknowledge different viewpoints.

• Avoid condescension and dismissive language.

• Apologise and correct yourself when needed.

Inclusion

• Support participation from people with different backgrounds, abilities, and needs.

• Use inclusive language (e.g. correct pronouns, plain language where possible).

• Be mindful of accessibility and digital literacy barriers.

Constructive Engagement

• Be clear, specific, and constructive in your feedback.

• Work collaboratively, not competitively.

• Stay on topic and contribute in good faith.

Awareness and Self-Reflection

• Consider how your words and behaviour affect others.

• Check your assumptions and recognise your own biases.

• Be open to learning and unlearning.

Unacceptable Behavior

We do not tolerate:

• Harassment of any kind, including personal attacks, intimidation, or repeated unwanted communication.

• Discrimination or derogatory remarks based on identity or background (e.g. gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic status).

• Violent, abusive, or threatening language, online or offline.

• Sexualized comments or conduct, including unsolicited contact or suggestive language.

• Doxxing or sharing others’ personal information without explicit consent.

• Intentional disruption of conversations, processes, or events (e.g. spamming, heckling, derailing discussion).

• Manipulation or bad-faith participation, including the use of multiple accounts to distort debates or outcomes.

Privacy and Consent

• Respect others' privacy. Do not share screenshots or quote others out of context without permission.

• Only share content that you have the right to publish.

Reporting and Accountability

If you witness or experience unacceptable behaviour on the platform, you can:

1. Report it via the Ethics Forum feedback form: https://participate.inspiredemocracy.eu/assemblies/ethicalForum/f/6/

2. Describe clearly what happened, when, and where (links can help).

3. The report will be reviewed confidentially by a designated safety team, which will follow up with appropriate action.

Consequences for violating these guidelines may include warnings, temporary or permanent bans from the platform, or referral to relevant authorities in severe cases.

False reporting to silence or target others is also a violation of these guidelines.