INCA policy guidelines for ethical and democratic urban alternatives to Big Tech

11 February 2026 By

As a result of the work carried out in the Open Innovation Labs in Barcelona, Bologna, and Bucharest, the INCA team has developed a set of policy guidelines aimed at promoting ethical and democratic alternatives to the dominance of Big Tech at the urban level.

Co-designed within the OILs, these guidelines do not offer a one-size-fits-all solution for all cities. Instead, they provide a replicable participatory methodology—a flexible framework that can be adapted to specific local contexts, resources, and institutional capacities. Designed as complementary tools, they are meant to help cities identify their unique ecosystems and leverage their potential to challenge Big Tech monopolies through collective engagement and the empowerment of local actors.

The guidelines are structured around six strategic areas for action:

  1. Enhance Participatory Processes
  2. Prioritize Algorithmic Accountability and Data Governance
  3. Build Public Sector Digital Capacity
  4. Foster Local Platform Cooperatives
  5. Secure Protections and Urban Infrastructure for Platform Workers
  6. Create and Maintain Ethical Civic Tech Platforms

Together, these areas provide a comprehensive roadmap for cities aiming to foster more democratic, accountable, and citizen-centered digital ecosystems. The full guidelines are compiled and explained in detail in a six-page document, which you can consult and download below or via this link on the website.

INCA_WP7_Policy GuidelinesDownload