Reimagining a People-Centered Federal Government

We Build Progress, formerly the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, and RISC are working together to identify structural opportunities for transforming federal agencies into truly people-centered democratic institutions. 

Grounded in RISC’s commitment to community-led change, this multi-stage qualitative research project centers the expertise of frontline workers – those doing the critical, on-the-ground work that meets everyday people’s needs. We are in direct dialogue with a broad coalition of frontline workers, affinity groups, movement leaders, grassroots organizers, advocates, veterans, expert agency navigators, former federal appointees, recipients of federal programs and services, and everyday people from across the US to reimagine how government can work better. 

This is urgent, timely work, situated within the broader movement to rebuild the public infrastructures that our communities rely on. Extensive federal budget cuts, mass layoffs of career professionals and experts resulting in institutional and scientific knowledge losses, and the slash-and-burn restructuring of US civil service have stripped away critical programs and resources from our communities, especially from under-served ones. 

But our goal extends beyond restoration. Through a comprehensive landscape review of federal agency processes, we documented a long history of community-level frustration with the design and effectiveness of all Executive Branch Departments and Agencies, frustration rooted in structural, not merely operational failures. 

This project is not about rebuilding merely what was lost; it is about reimagining democratic engagement altogether, as a process that moves effectively and genuinely addresses people’s needs. It also represents a long-term commitment to supporting the building of the infrastructure required to make this possible. This project is one step in that direction. 

Using participatory action research methods and rigorous qualitative analysis, the Reimagining a People-Centered Federal Government Project translates community knowledge into actionable, evidence-based recommendations that can drive structural transformations across executive branch agencies. This work reflects RISC’s broader theory of change: that lasting, socially transformative change happens when research is forged in partnership with the communities it is meant to serve, not conducted on their behalf. We are proud to work toward a truly community-led vision of people-centered democratic governance.

For more information, you can contact our Research Director, Dr. Yanet Ruvalcaba, Ph.D., at yanetruvalcabaphd@gmail.com.