Martina Trettel was appointed as an expert member of the Local Participation Authority of the Province of Trento (Autorità per la partecipazione locale). The primary role of this Authority is to assist the municipalities and valley communities of the Province in developing participatory processes and to monitor their implementation. Martina’s role revolves around the transformation of theoretical concepts and practical strategies into concrete initiatives designed to improve local democracy. This unique opportunity serves as a bridge between academia, applied research and real-life experiences.