Cleveland VOTES Extends Application Deadline for Fourth Democracy Collective Cohort

We have extended the application deadline for the fourth cohort of its Democracy Collective (DemCo), a nine month collaborative leadership program that supports Greater Cleveland residents working to address challenges and create change in their own communities.

Unlike traditional leadership programs, DemCo is built on the belief that community members are already leading meaningful change. Rather than creating leaders, the program invests in the people who are already doing the work. The stipend based program provides participants with resources, support and community to advance their needs.

“We’re not positioning this program as something that turns people into leaders, because the people doing this work or have the drive to do so already are,” says Kirby Broadnax, our Democracy Collective Facilitator. “DemCo is a space where people can identify and pursue solutions to issues they care about.”

Since launching in 2022, the Democracy Collective has supported more than 30 Greater Cleveland Residents in developing projects that strengthen civic participation and community engagement. Past cohort members have launched initiatives including a local Spanish language newspaper, youth civic engagement programming, oral history projects, youth mental health initiatives and other community centered efforts.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Democracy Collective are open. Greater Cleveland residents interested in participating can learn more about eligibility, program expectation and submit an application at https://www.clevotes.com/demco. Applications close Friday, August 14th 2026 at 11:59pm.