This paper examines the role of deliberative mini-publics in fostering democratization within Serbia’s competitive authoritarian regime. Focusing on a citizens’ assembly in Belgrade addressing traffic regulation, it evaluates three aspects: the nature of democratic innovations, their participatory mechanisms, and their potential impact on democratization. Data from pre- and post-event questionnaires reveal mixed outcomes. While participants reported increased knowledge and appreciation of the deliberative process, satisfaction with local democracy declined due to perceived disengagement by decision-makers. Despite these limitations, mini-publics demonstrated the potential to enhance political efficacy, civic engagement, and dialogue among diverse participants.