It’s currently Local Democracy Week (12 – 18 October) and a new initiative aims to ensure even more people get involved.

Take Part Lincolnshire is part of the Take Part National Pathfinder programme, which aims to involve people with their local democratic process as a way of inspiring positive change in local communities. Thousands of community groups, schools, organisations and individuals will be taking part across the UK.

The scheme is particularly interested in targeting young people, who have become increasingly detached from the democratic process. A recent Ipsos Mori poll, commissioned by the Local Government Association, found that just a quarter of 11 – 16 year olds believe their local councillor is the best person to approach in order to change something in their community.

In Lincolnshire the Take Part programme is being led by the Lincolnshire Assembly and the University of Lincoln.

Zoraida Mendiwelso-Bendek, Senior Research Fellow in Active Learning for Active Citizenship at the University of Lincoln says: “Democracy is the founding block on which our society is built. By encouraging people to take part in some of the activities being staged during local democracy week and by looking at our website we hope to give them the skills and knowledge that will ensure we all live in a better, more accountable society.

“Take Part Lincolnshire aims to give people the knowledge and expertise to create positive change in their community. People of all walks of life are invited to get involved with their local community and discuss the things that matter most to them, added Zoraida.”

Local Democracy Week was first staged in 1998. Set up to achieve greater participation in the democratic process it now involves hundreds of councils and thousands of schools, community groups and organisations nationwide.

To get involved and find out more about what’s happening in your community visit www.takepartlincolnshire.org.