Across the seven INSPIRE pilots, participatory democracy did not end with performances, exhibitions or a list of policy proposals. It moved into a more demanding - and often less visible to the main public - phase, what many partners came to call the day after.

We all want to feel cared for, and valued. It matters for our wellbeing, but, we argue, it also matters for our sense of agency and our participation in democratic life. When we tend to the simple, human aspects of participation, we build foundations for transformative democratic capabilities.

In November 2025 the Irish pilot of INSPIRE | INSPIRE_Horizon held its second research event in Dublin. 16 women from different national, cultural and linguistic backgrounds participated in the event, which was co-hosted with the Intercultural Women’s Network Intercultural Women's Network (IWN), a network of women from the Kildare-Dublin region and INSPIRE partner organisation.