The Case of People’s Assembly in Estonia: A Systemic Approach to Crowdsourcing Initiatives

This paper investigates a crowdsourcing initiative called Rahvakogu (People’s Assembly) that was proposed by Estonian civil society activists in November 2012 as a solution to then widespread political protests. The paper makes three important contributions. First, it stages the process of the initiative. Second, it analyses the role of different actors, such as civil society, experts, politicians, the President of Estonia, and the media in this process. Third, it looks at the various methods used throughout the process. My findings show the importance of crowdsourcing as the essential phase and method for the learning process of the public. The findings clearly indicate the crucial role of different actors throughout its process. Finally, this innovative process could foster in different contexts, if there is a willingness of the different institutional actors to participate, the involvement of citizens and generate new solutions to common and highly salient issues.