Civic Skills
Master the skills needed for effective democratic participation. Browse 560 skills across 35 categories.
560 skills
Master the skills needed for effective democratic participation. Browse 560 skills across 35 categories.
560 skills
Use freedom of information laws to obtain government documents
Report and work to eliminate misuse of public resources
Support stronger rules preventing corruption and conflicts of interest
Engage with elected officials on government accountability laws
Research and report on how well government serves the public
Support fair elections free from fraud and undue influence
Help communities prepare for changing weather patterns and extreme events
Engage with elected officials on disaster preparedness and response
Understand federal disaster aid and emergency management
Understand respectful vs. exploitative use of cultural traditions
Support communities targeted because of identity or beliefs
Recognize and respond to unfair treatment based on religious beliefs
Support workers facing discrimination based on protected characteristics
Help workers recover stolen wages through legal and advocacy channels
Engage with elected officials on legislation affecting workers
Work on air quality, water protection, and green space in your community
Support maintenance and improvement of roads, bridges, and utilities
Understand council member influence, committee power, voting blocs, and special interest control
Advocate for responsible resource extraction practices
Support policies reducing dependence on energy imports
Understand utility company influence, renewable energy politics, and regulatory capture
Support efforts to diversify rural economies beyond agriculture
Build understanding between rural and urban communities
Engage with elected officials on farm bills and agricultural legislation
Ensure transportation systems serve all communities fairly
Engage with elected officials on infrastructure funding and priorities
Support funding for buses, trains, and other public transportation
Support enforcement of trade rules that protect workers and businesses
Engage with elected officials on trade legislation
Know how international markets affect farmers and food systems
Support enforcement of veterans workplace rights
Support community efforts to prevent veteran mental health crises
Engage with elected officials on veterans legislation
Support clear, accessible information about government finances
Support tax policies that distribute burdens and benefits equitably
Evaluate government budget proposals and their impact on communities
Engage with elected officials on international issues
Evaluate the potential impacts of major foreign policy changes
See connections between community challenges and global trends
Work to ensure healthcare services are available to all community members
Engage with elected officials on healthcare legislation
Support policies and programs that protect mothers and children
Engage with elected officials on security and civil liberties issues
Evaluate tradeoffs between safety measures and constitutional rights
Support oversight of intelligence and law enforcement agencies
Use historical knowledge to evaluate contemporary policy proposals
Understand how past movements achieved social change
Understand how government responded to past recessions and depressions
Understand money in politics and contribution limits
Look up candidates' backgrounds, positions, and track records. Use these research skills to evaluate any leader or expert.
Figure out what you're actually voting on, from president to local measures. Great skill for understanding any complex decision.
Know federal vs state roles in immigration
Know the difference between various immigration statuses and processes. Helps you understand diverse communities and legal pathways.
Assist newcomers in accessing government services and community resources. Service navigation skills.
Know parental rights and their constitutional limits
Understand your basic rights in different situations. Stand up for yourself at school, work, and community.
Record incidents properly to build a case for change. Useful for addressing any unfair treatment.
Understand Senate rules, filibusters, and cloture
Follow legislation from introduction to passage. Process understanding for any multi-step approval system.
Understand what bills actually say beyond news headlines. Document analysis skill for any legal text.
Understand state authority to regulate for health, safety, and welfare
Understand how ideas become laws. Useful for following any step-by-step process.
Understand where tax money goes and what governments prioritize. Useful for any budget analysis.
Figure out what the Constitution actually says about modern issues. Think like a judge when making fair decisions.
Know when and how to invoke your constitutional protections. Helps you stand up for yourself in any formal situation.
Provide input on community energy infrastructure decisions
Know how international partnerships affect security and trade
Identify and counter false health information in communities
Follow up on whether policies actually work as promised. Apply this accountability thinking anywhere decisions are made.
Evaluate different approaches to solving the same problem. Decision-making for choosing between alternatives.
Recognize when media, ads, or people are trying to influence you unfairly. Stay in control of your own opinions.
Spot when authorities exceed their legal powers. Apply this to any situation where someone abuses their authority.
Explain your ideas clearly to different audiences. Essential for presentations, interviews, and persuasion.
Recognize when politicians or media misuse economic statistics. Protect yourself from misleading financial information anywhere.
Recognize when AI systems treat people unfairly. Critical thinking skill for any automated decision-making.
Know what legal protections you have in different situations. Self-protection skill for navigating adult life.