DemocracyFirst is an independent non-profit foundation that develops tools and structures for modern, people-centered decision-making. We believe that every person should have a voice in shaping the world they live in.
About DemocracyFirst
Empowering People to Decide Together
The DemocracyFirst Foundation exists to make decision-making fair, transparent, and accessible to everyone. We believe that every person — regardless of background, education, or wealth — should have the chance to participate in the choices that shape their life.
Too often, decisions are made far away from the people they affect.
DemocracyFirst develops the tools, methods, and structures that allow everyone to be heard — in their community, organization, or country. Our mission: to make democratic participation simple, modern, and within everyone’s reach.
Foundation Details
Name: Stichting DemocracyFirst
Fiscal number: 8195.11.973
Contact: [Contact details / link to Contact page]
Board: The DemocracyFirst Foundation is led by a small team of dedicated professionals who combine innovation, integrity, and a shared commitment to building a fairer, more participatory world.
Mark Kruiver – Hans Vasbinder – Kees Kloosterboer
Transparency & Trust
Transparency and trust are at the heart of our foundation. DemocracyFirst operates with full openness about its mission, governance, and finances.
ANBI Certification: An official ANBI (Public Benefit Organization) status has been granted to the DemocracyFirst Foundation by the Dutch government. This certification recognizes that our work serves the public interest and requires us to make all relevant foundation information publicly available, in accordance with Dutch regulations.
Donations to DemocracyFirst are tax-deductible in the Netherlands. Your support directly contributes to strengthening participation and freedom worldwide.
Policy Plan
The main objective of the DemocracyFirst Foundation is to promote and facilitate democratic decision-making.
Everywhere in society — in associations, schools, local governments, companies, and national politics — decisions are made that directly affect people’s lives. Yet, not everyone is involved or informed. Participation often depends on complicated procedures or limited opportunities. DemocracyFirst aims to bridge that gap, enabling everyone to participate and contribute ideas that lead to meaningful change.
We are a non-profit foundation, independent of any political, religious, or social organization.
OpinionFirst
One of the core tools developed by DemocracyFirst is OpinionFirst, a social platform that connects people and helps structure open, democratic decision-making.
Through OpinionFirst, anyone can:
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- Share opinions, plans, and proposals
- Engage in structured dialogue around ideas
- Measure and visualize public support
- Build connections between citizens, organizations, and decision-makers
Every user can become an opinion leader — someone who launches a proposal and gathers community support for it. OpinionFirst helps bring transparency and structure to public discussions while giving citizens a clear voice.
The platform is scalable and can be used for small groups, associations, cities, or even entire countries. It is continuously improved based on user feedback and is also available for integration by third parties through widgets and other tools.
We believe that democratic decision-making at every level is essential for societies where everyone can thrive. This modern approach to an age-old principle will, we hope, inspire many to take initiative for a better world.
Activities and Development
To promote this vision, DemocracyFirst organizes meetings, lectures, and conferences to foster a deeper understanding of democracy. We also develop and maintain websites and apps that facilitate democratic participation, making it easier and more accessible.
Recent activities (2024–2025):
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- Continued development of OpinionFirst, focusing on user-friendliness and simplicity.
- Completion of the One$/eachday project plan for developers, investors, and partners.
- Completion of the GDM project plan for developers, investors, and partners.
- Enhancement of the DemocracyFirst website and creation of multilingual versions.
- Expansion of communication databases and volunteer teams.
- Active participation in democratic innovation sessions at Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam.
Foundation Structure and Compensation
DemocracyFirst is a non-profit foundation (stichting). All board members and contributors work entirely pro bono — no salaries or financial rewards are provided.
We aim to make our technology freely available to communities and organizations that share our democratic ideals.