How do you set up an agency that voices and defends public interest?

Question

I am asking because the country that I come from(EU), although having adopted Democracy for nearly 13 years already, does not do much to listen to the people's opinion in terms of local governance. People rarely speak out, even if they dislike something, little will be said thinking their voice does not matter. Things like consumer protection are just starting to appear but it is difficult and time consuming process for a single individual. e.g having to have a road repaired takes forever although everyone pays taxes. People may complain but individually and their requests get washed away and delayed etc... (Other examples, lack of referendum for important town decisions, or late/formallity referendums on issues, obvious municipality corruptions that are not taken seriously, local gangs known by the police are not dealt with once and for all)...do you get my flow?

I feel there is very little citizen participation as people just don't care, how do you change this?

Answer 1

Global Warming combined with the other issues. The Global Warming issue would provide a good point to get attention and then resolve other issues in one. There is an organization with the name Project Censored which has need of a rival to  provide a fresh source of information. The thing to do might be to set up a site like this as a conduit to Global thought and use it to bring pressure to bear on The Media to report more on Global thought and The EU could do more if it were to have worldwide pressure on it from citizens from The Middle East in particular to contrast with The Blood Thirsty Media Image and get stories of more import.

Answer 2

Look in to the organization and beginnings of the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, in the United States.  You might find a good resource on Wikepedia.