Initiative aims to strengthen community engagement and public input opportunities for Erie residents
In partnership with Change.org, the world’s leading platform for social change, the City of Erie is piloting a new initiative called Civic Dialogues. Through this program, the City, alongside Change.org, will identify creative, community-driven solutions to local challenges.
“It takes all of us to move Erie forward, which is why my administration is grateful toChange.org for creating another opportunity where residents can share their ideas, voice concerns, and engage in constructive conversations about the future of our city,” said Mayor Daria S. Devlin. “We grow Erie by listening to one another, and it’s essential that people feel heard, engaged, and empowered to help shape Erie’s future.
“I encourage all residents to make their voice heard and participate in this powerful initiative.”
From now until June 28, 2026, residents will have the opportunity to share their feedback and ideas for positive change in our city and respond to their neighbors’ suggestions at ideasforchange.org/erie.
Based on the provided feedback, Change.org will then identify the topics submitted that resonate most across all participants and assemble a group of residents from all over the city for a dialogue to develop them into actionable proposals.
Duncan Lockard, General Manager of Civic Dialogues at Change.org, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in this process.
“Change.org will host an online space where residents can not only share their own ideas on what would be good for the city, but support and build on others’ ideas as well. Our process engages a wide net of community members and builds consensus around practical policy solutions. We are excited to engage residents of Erie and bring their ideas to city leadership.”
Using online forums and virtual dialogues, Ideas for Change hopes to identify what matters most to residents and identify points of consensus, which will serve as critical information elected officials and community leaders can use to drive real change.
Residents can submit their own feedback or vote on the ideas that have already been submitted at www.ideasforchange.org/erie.
