what makes a
good life?
The Citizens’ Panel on Good Life is a nationwide event that brings together people across Estonia to collectively reflect on how to guide our society toward the well-being of people and nature.
The citizens’ panel strengthens the momentum of change towards a more resilient future, since in 2025 many initiatives take place. In May, dreaming circles around Estonia take place to define the country in 2050; in October, active discussions will take place at the Degrowth Estonia and Biotoopia’s conference “Life in Post-Growth Estonia”; and in November, Rohetiiger will unveil its balanced economy concept for Estonia.
Reflecting on
the Good Life
The citizens’ panel brings together a representative sample of Estonia's population (a "mini-Estonia") of 30 people to discuss what constitutes a good life and whether our current policies support it.
A new approach to decisionmaking
We are testing a small-scale citizens' assembly (citizen panel) as a model that can help our society to address complex issues, overcome disagreements, and foster greater unity.
Setting changes
in motion
We believe that meaningful change begins with the readiness of citizens and the courage of decision-makers. As a result of the citizens’ panel policymakers gain the confidence to prioritize the well-being of people and nature - and not solely economic growth.
What happens in the citizens’ Panel?
A citizen panel is a deliberative democracy format where decisions are made by a cross-section of society—a “mini-public.” Grounded in the best available science, collective wisdom, and consensus-building, it is an empowering decision-making method for citizens and communities alike. Every resident has an equal chance to be selected, as participants are chosen through a random selection process. The citizens’ assembly ensures that the voices of everyday people are represented in shaping public life.
The Good Life Citizens’ Panel is made up of 30 people from across Estonia who represent the country’s population. It is intended for all residents of Estonia, and everyone has an equal chance of being selected to participate.
August–September 2025, over three weekends, on five days in total.
In order to understand the good life, we will learn about people's basic universal needs and how society works to meet them. Drawing on the experiences of the participants as well as on the best knowledge of experts, we will discuss the turning points for a sustainable future for the world and for Estonia in food security, the energy revolution, reducing poverty and inequality, and empowering women (Earth4All).
We will compile a collective perception of what is needed for a good life and how the Estonian society can better support the wellbeing of its citizens and nature.
The Good Life Citizens’ Panel is made up of 30 people from across Estonia who represent the country’s population. It is intended for all residents of Estonia, and everyone has an equal chance of being selected to participate.
August–September 2025, over three weekends, on five days in total.
In order to understand the good life, we will learn about people's basic universal needs and how society works to meet them. Drawing on the experiences of the participants as well as on the best knowledge of experts, we will discuss the turning points for a sustainable future for the world and for Estonia in food security, the energy revolution, reducing poverty and inequality, and empowering women (Earth4All).
We will compile a collective perception of what is needed for a good life and how the Estonian society can better support the wellbeing of its citizens and nature.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
PUBLIC EVALUATION OF POLICIES:
The mini-Estonia will assess how current political decisions support the good life of people and nature. The panel’s consensus will highlight key areas that society and climate policy should focus on.
PUBLIC DIALOGUE:
The participants of the panel will learn about the components of a good life, about sufficiency, global climate trends and alternative economic models in use already. Unlearning of old beliefs that do not carry us to the future will take place. Through the experience of the mini-public a wider public dialogue will take place around the need to focus more on the wellbeing of people and nature.
A PROTOTYPE FOR BETTER PUBLIC POLICY-MAKING:
The design of the citizens’ panel will serve as a role model for how the public sector can discuss and decide on complex and long-term issues together with residents.
PREVIOUS CITIZENS' Assemblies IN ESTONIA
The Good Life Citizens’ Assembly is the sixth citizens’ assembly held in Estonia, and the second one on a national scale.
Previous assemblies have addressed topics such as the role of green spaces in mitigating climate impacts in Tallinn (2023), sustainable mobility in Tartu (2022), young people’s perspectives on a just transition in Ida-Virumaa (2021), forestry (2019), and the financing of political parties and elections (2013). Thanks to the 2013 citizens’ assembly, Estonia gained the right for citizens to propose legislation to Parliament and the process of founding a political party was simplified.
Citizens’ assemblies are an increasingly common method for discussing and deciding on complex issues across the European Union and at national and local levels around the world.
ORGANIZERS
The Good Life Citizens’ Assembly is organized by the DD Democracy Centre and the Praxis Thinktank, together with many other partners.
FUNDING
The citizens’ assembly is supported by Mondo’s NoPlanetB program, which is funded by the European Commission and ESTDEV – the Estonian Centre for International Development. The assembly is co-funded by the Democracy Centre.
