​Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) is releasing new findings from its 2025 Civic Language Perceptions Project during a national webinar on February 27, 2026, presenting multi-year research on how Americans across political, demographic, and geographic divides understand civic and democratic language. The project surveys thousands of voters to examine which terms have "bridgeyness" potential to unite diverse audiences and which inadvertently signal exclusion or partisan allegiance, providing evidence-based guidance for practitioners seeking to engage broad communities without triggering defensive reactions. The webinar will introduce an updated interactive dashboard with approximately 500 data visualizations, a refreshed guide on strategic language use, and new research on how people make sense of democracy and perceived threats to it in a high-stakes political moment. This work advances NCDD's mission by illuminating how word choices shape who feels invited into civic conversation, offering dialogue practitioners and organizers practical tools to prioritize connection and inclusivity through strategic communication that builds bridges rather than reinforcing division.

​Braver Angels, a national organization dedicated to reducing political polarization through skill-building and collaborative action, addresses the personal toll of division through its Families and Politics workshop, which focuses on repairing and sustaining family relationships strained by political conflict. Grounded in the organization’s commitment to courageous citizenship and equal representation of Red and Blue perspectives, the workshop helps participants understand why family political disagreements are uniquely challenging, recognize common conversational roles, and develop practical strategies for navigating conflict without sacrificing deeply held values. By combining humor, empathy, and concrete tools, the program highlights how polarization operates within intimate relationships and demonstrates how targeted skill-building can preserve family bonds while supporting healthier civic engagement and community trust.

​Out of Hand Theater, an Atlanta-based organization working at the intersection of arts, social impact, and civic engagement since 2001, uses performance combined with structured dialogue to address systemic inequities and build community across lines of difference. Their innovative programs—including Equitable Dinners, Shows in Homes, and Community Collaborations—bring theater into intimate settings where creative storytelling opens hearts and facilitates conversations about racism, poverty, and injustice that inspire collective action. With an explicit commitment to anti-racism and addressing Atlanta's severe income disparity, Out of Hand partners with community organizations to create spaces where diverse participants develop empathy, deepen understanding, and imagine solutions to shared challenges. This work advances NCDD's mission by demonstrating how arts-based dialogue practices strengthen civic engagement, build trust across divides, and create the relational foundation necessary for collaborative democratic action.

​People Powered's Rising Stars mentorship program, implemented in partnership with Coglobal through the EU-funded Nets4Dem project, connects democracy practitioners with expert coaches from 22 countries to strengthen participatory governance initiatives worldwide. The program provides tailored guidance for activists, government officials, and civil society staff working to launch or improve participatory programs such as citizen assemblies, participatory budgeting, and community engagement processes. Through up to five coaching calls over six months, mentees receive practical support on design challenges, implementation strategies, and building political will for democratic reforms, while gaining access to a global community of practice that shares resources and lessons learned across contexts. Rising Stars advances NCDD's mission by building capacity for inclusive deliberation, fostering cross-border collaboration among practitioners, and strengthening the infrastructure that enables communities to participate meaningfully in governance decisions.

​Reflective Structured Dialogue is a method developed by Essential Partners to help people navigate contentious conversations by focusing less on persuasive speaking and more on intentional listening. It describes two core practices—personal reflection before speaking and simple conversation structures like timed turns—that replace reactive debate and interruptions with predictable, safer rhythms for sharing. The approach is designed to work along a spectrum, from formal, facilitated dialogue sessions for highly divisive topics to everyday applications in classrooms, workplaces, and meetings. Rather than aiming for agreement or consensus, Reflective Structured Dialogue defines success through trust-building, participants feeling genuinely heard, and a sense of belonging. By emphasizing preparation to listen and adaptable structures, the method offers practical tools for sustaining understanding and collaboration across big political, social, and cultural differences.

Be The People is a nationwide collaborative campaign launched alongside the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to reinvigorate civic participation and community problem-solving in the United States. Convening more than 50 philanthropic foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and civic organizations under a shared framework, the initiative—led by Stand Together—aims to address the widespread public desire to contribute locally but uncertainty about how to do so meaningfully. Rather than creating a new institution, it connects existing efforts to resources, visibility, and shared narratives, emphasizing community members as active problem-solvers. With a first-year budget exceeding $200 million and a 10-year horizon, the campaign seeks to counter narratives of division and hopelessness by highlighting tangible local progress on issues such as poverty, addiction, violence, and economic mobility, supported by data collection and storytelling that elevate successful civic action.

More in Common and Democracy Notes, with support from New Pluralists, have launched a nine-month communications community of practice for professionals working across the pluralism ecosystem. Building on prior social media research and peer-learning cohorts, the program brings together a small cohort of communications practitioners for monthly facilitated sessions focused on practical skill-building, experimentation, and shared problem-solving around messaging for democratic renewal, bridge-building, and inclusive civic participation. Participants receive peer support, individualized coaching, and shared funds to test new approaches, with no cost to participate. Applications are due February 13, 2026, and the cohort will begin in late March.

The National Issues Forums Institute has appointed Dawn Harfmann as Program Coordinator, bringing more than a decade of experience in nonpartisan deliberation, civic learning, and community-centered problem solving to support NIFI’s national network. Having previously served as a Program Associate, Harfmann brings deep familiarity with NIFI’s programs and partners, along with a background that spans research, education, facilitation, and curriculum design across community, higher education, and K–12 settings. In her new role, she will coordinate program logistics and partnerships, support the planning and delivery of initiatives, and contribute to the development of deliberative resources that help communities engage complex public issues collaboratively. Her work in bridge-building, including co-founding a Braver Angels alliance and completing formal moderator training, reflects NIFI’s commitment to strengthening civic infrastructure through practitioners who combine analytical rigor with relational skill.

​The Blackbelt Voices podcast, hosted by Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins, amplifies Black Southern voices through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations that explore the lived experiences of Black Southerners reconciling with and celebrating the region they call home. By creating intimate spaces for authentic storytelling, the podcast challenges dominant narratives while documenting the richness of Black Southern culture and inviting listeners into deeper understanding across lines of difference. The work demonstrates how narrative-based dialogue builds empathy, shifts awareness, and opens pathways toward healing and solidarity, serving both as affirmation for Black Southern communities and as education for broader audiences. Through their commitment to centering marginalized voices and using storytelling as a tool for social transformation, Blackbelt Voices advances NCDD's mission of fostering dialogue, strengthening civic engagement, and building bridges across communities.

​Braver Angels’ Depolarizing Within workshop addresses political polarization by helping participants examine their “inner polarizer” and develop skills for engaging in constructive political conversations. The three-hour online program teaches participants to distinguish between thoughtful critique and condemnation, providing strategies for intervening when conversations become disrespectful and for maintaining critical perspectives while preserving civic relationships. By focusing on self-awareness and everyday conversation skills, the workshop creates opportunities for cultural shift within political communities and equips participants to contribute to healthier democratic norms. It's accessible, free, and emphasis on personal responsibility supports NCDD’s mission of strengthening civic engagement, fostering dialogue across difference, and building the foundation for collaborative democratic action.