Methodology
How we select participants — introducing stratified sampling
The most common question we get: "why can't people simply apply?" In short: because if anyone could come, it wouldn't be the district that showed up. Here is how the draw works instead.
Many people are surprised to learn that you cannot simply apply and get in to a community meeting. That is no accident. If participation were voluntary, those who came would be the ones who already hold strong views and have the time — not a true cross-section of the district.
01 The draw reverses the logic
Instead of people seeking us out, we seek them out. In the most recent process, nearly five hundred people indicated that they would be glad to take part — and from among them we drew the final participants anonymously, in line with international methodologies.
02 But it isn't pure chance — we stratify
A pure draw on a small sample can mislead. That is why we stratify: we determine in advance the proportions in which the group should mirror the district, and the draw takes place within these strata. The selection takes three factors into account:
- Gender — women and men proportionally.
- Age group — in eight categories (18–25, 26–35, 36–45, 46–55, 56–65, 66–75, 75+).
- Place of residence — by the district's 18 sub-districts.
The result is a "mini-district": a few dozen people who statistically mirror the community — not the experts, not the activists, but the district in miniature.