Challenge
Once the Wikipolitica leaders decided to launch a political party instead of remaining a civil society group, some of its supporters argued that this would cause the group to lose its independence. Additionally, as a group initially focused on a few particular cities, Futuro had to develop policy platforms that would appeal to the entire state of Jalisco. As a result, Futuro had to develop a comprehensive policy platform beyond its few initial focus topics.
Response
In order to develop its policies, Futuro drew on its Wikipolitica roots to create a policy co-design process. Over two weeks in March 2021, the Futuro leadership organized the "El Futuro llama" Festival (Future Calls). The objective of this strategy was to diagnose, discuss and explore solutions to four social problems considered central to Futuro's agenda heading into the June midterm elections: security, parity and youth, the public space, and ecology and sustainability. Futuro organized twenty-six panels and colloquia across these four themes.. Due to the pandemic, participants joined each panel via digital platforms (Facebook Live and YouTube). They incorporated the recommendations resulting from these panels and discussions into their political platform and candidates' platforms. Futuro’s elected representatives have taken these ideas and turned them into policy proposals, including by advancing bills on abortion rights, improving police coordination, and encouraging partnerships in prosecuting crime.
Outcomes
Having won multiple local elections, Futuro has proven that its deliberative model can work to co-create and advance new policy ideas. It has also shown that groups independent of traditional elite sectors can create and successfully run a political party. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Futuro’s locally driven, co-creation model can be expanded beyond the state of Jalisco.
