Cities interested in the participatory democracy incubator are invited to complete the new participatory democracy index before joining the incubator. On the basis of the index results, the cities receive an analytical report with examples of good practice from democracy innovators all over the world, as well as from other cities.

The Participatory City Index analysis is based on a questionnaire involving 69 questions grouped in ten indicators, including commitment, regulatory and policy framework, advisory boards and commissions, civic associations, range of issues, range of tactics, grassroots problem-solving, young people, transparency, and monitoring and evaluation.

The index serves as a tool of self-assessment for the cities to critically evaluate and improve their structures for citizen participation.