Dr Gareth Mace is a researcher and practitioner with 15 years of experience in democratic innovation, civil society strengthening and system thinking. He has worked extensively on designing participatory processes, facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, implementing and advising on integrated development programming, and evaluating governance reforms. His skills include rapid analysis, strategic and scenario planning, Theory of Change development, project cycle management, consensus building, and participatory evaluation.
Elco van der Wilt has over two decades of international experience in designing and implementing participation processes, civic engagement strategies, and community-led governance initiatives. He specialises in grassroots mobilisation, creative facilitation, and the use of technology and creativity, including the design of Ai-assisted tools to strengthen participation. His skills include Design Thinking, facilitation, and visual storytelling for Change. He is a former local politician in the City of Groningen.