Levels of Participation
Most practitioners and academics now recognise that different levels of participation are appropriate in different circumstances. The key lesson is that there is a need for clarity about which level of public participation is being attempted in any given process. This table-developed by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
- details the spectrum of public participation levels:
INFORM |
CONSULT |
INVOLVE |
COLLABORATE |
EMPOWER |
| Public participation goal: |
Public participation goal: |
Public participation goal: |
Public participation goal: |
Public participation goal: |
| To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions, |
To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions, |
To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered. |
To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution. |
To place final decision-making in the hands of the public. |
Promise to the Public:
|
Promise to the Public: |
Promise to the Public: |
Promise to the Public: |
Promise to the Public: |
| We will keep you informed |
We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision |
We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision |
We will look to you for direct advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into decisions to the maximum extent possible. |
We will implement what you decided. |
Example Techniques to Consider:
|
Example Techniques to Consider:
|
Example Techniques to Consider:
|
Example Techniques to Consider:
|
Example Techniques to Consider:
|
*Fact sheets
*Web sites
*Open Houses |
*Public comment
*Focus groups
*Surveys
*Public meetings |
*Workshops
*Deliberative polling |
*Citizen Advisory Committees
*Consensus Building
*Participatory decision-making |
*Citizen Juries
*Ballots
*Delegated decisions |
|
Return to Purpose Introduction
