Will you join us in shaping the next chapter of our shared history? Can you imagine with us the possibility of stepping outside of our U.S. context to learn from a similarly-situated peer, and applying those lessons back here at home?

Across the United States, democratic norms are under growing pressure. We are witnessing:

Rising polarization and political violence, including threats against public officials, election workers, and community leaders
Erosion of trust in democratic institutions, elections, and media
Disinformation and misinformation ecosystems that fuel division, undermine trust in information, and weaken social cohesion

Brazil offers a uniquely relevant and underutilized source of learning for this work:

A large, multiracial democracy with a history of slavery and colonialism, like the United States;
A country that has recently emerged from dictatorship and adopted a new constitution in 1988, experimenting with institutional and civic responses to authoritarian threats; and
A context where democratic institutions, especially the courts, have responded differently to attempted coups and anti-democratic mobilizations, offering practical lessons for accountability, electoral integrity, and institutional resilience.

Despite these powerful parallels, U.S. democracy work rarely looks to Brazil as a learning partner. Most comparative democracy conversations still focus on mid–20th century Europe, whose history and scale differ significantly from the U.S. and Brazil today.

To meet the current moment, our democracy and civic leaders need global peers, tested models, and fresh narratives that can help us see beyond our own crisis, identify workable paths forward, and design interventions that match the scale and urgency of the challenge.

The Brazilian Blueprint is meeting this moment.

In short, the Brazilian Blueprint is an “intermestic” project to build civic muscle and expand civic imagination.

Stories Change Power, a cross-partisan, pro-democracy, U.S.-based nonprofit organization, is convening an U.S. delegation of ~20 people to São Paulo in October, anchored around Brazil’s first‑round national elections.

As you'll see in this one-page overview, the initiative focuses on four pillars:

Electoral integrity
Social cohesion, including the role of education in promoting civic engagement
Mis- and disinformation
Equal treatment under the law

Delegates will meet Brazilian civil society and democracy leaders, observe election practices, and participate in facilitated learning and reflection.

A wonderful array of leaders embedded in key democracy and bridge-building efforts across the country are already on board.

The delegation is cross-partisan, cross-generational, and deeply dedicated to improving our shared future. It's an impressive group ready to learn and share the learning widely.

All will return with concrete practices, narratives, and relationships that strengthen the U.S. civic ecosystem.

Not all are able to afford the full cost per delegate. We are seeking support to make their participation possible.

NOTE: Donations to a specific participant support that participant’s involvement in the delegation. Any funds raised beyond individual participation costs will support the broader delegation and project.

The Brazilian Blueprint

Strengthening Global Connections. Building Civic Muscle. Reimagining the Shared Story of Democracy.

Team Members