Facilitating a Big Tent pro-democracy formation
Around the world, diverse networks, associations, organizations, and coalitions have come together from every sector of society to form broad-front movements to push back against authoritarianism and strengthen democracy. Research shows that movements that bring together people across ideology, race, class, creed, sector, and generation toward a common purpose are among the most effective at defending democratic norms. Durable change emerges when diverse sectors recognize their shared stake in a healthy democracy and choose to act together, even without full agreement on every preferred policy choice.
The Horizons Project helps cultivate this approach to pro-democracy organizing in the United States. We bring together actors who rarely organize together but share a common goal of countering anti-democratic practices. Their combined influence is essential: faith communities, veterans, artists, business owners, lawyers, union leaders, grassroots organizers, and others. Each contributes distinct motivations, networks, ways or working and sources of power. When connected, they form a “big tent” — a space where people with different identities, ideologies, and experiences can build the relational infrastructure needed to coordinate and deploy strategic collective action.
Our work focuses on building the relationships, trust, and connectivity with other national coalitions that allow this big tent to function. We help groups understand how their efforts fit within a broader pro-democracy ecosystem, whether they are blocking harms and injustice, bridging divides, or building the systems needs for a just and inclusive democracy.
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