Community and stakeholder engagement are essential to successful decision-making processes and project implementations. When diverse voices and perspectives are heard, it leads to more informed and effective outcomes. However, many barriers can hinder active participation.
This blog will explore strategies to remove these barriers and foster a more inclusive environment that encourages engagement.
Understanding the barriers to participation
The first step in removing barriers to participation in stakeholder and community engagement is to understand the barriers.
Common barriers include:
- Lack of information: People may not be aware of engagement opportunities or how to get involved. The purpose of the engagement, scope and possible results may also not be clear.
- Time constraints: Busy schedules can make it challenging for individuals to participate in meetings or activities.
- Language and accessibility: Language barriers and inaccessible meeting locations can exclude certain groups.
- Fear and mistrust: Some people may hesitate to engage due to past negative experiences or a lack of trust.
- Power imbalances: Unequal power dynamics can deter marginalized groups from participating. Inclusive engagement must include a diversity of voices.
Increase awareness
Promoting engagement opportunities widely is crucial to overcoming the information barrier. Use social media, community newsletters or bulletin boards, local newspapers or radio stations, direct mail flyers, and/or door-to-door visits to discuss upcoming engagement or consultation meetings, surveys, or initiatives.
Ensure the information is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities or without internet access. Giving people at least two weeks' notice of initiatives and including a reminder are recommended.
Diverse engagement methods
A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in community engagement. Employ a mix of methods, such as focus groups, workshops, surveys, and public sessions, to capture a broader range of perspectives.
Different people have different comfort levels and preferences when it comes to participating, so offering multiple avenues for engagement can break down barriers.
Flexible engagement options
Recognize that people have busy lives, and traditional meetings may only work for some. You can offer flexible engagement options, including in-person and online sessions. This allows people to engage at their convenience, making it more accessible to a broader audience. However, offering only some engagement opportunities online is essential as people may lack the required access or knowledge to use the technology.
Meetings should be scheduled at convenient times (e.g., outside business hours). You could hold meetings at different times and in various locations. Also, could you consider avoiding popular holiday periods in the area?
Language and accessibility
Removing language and accessibility barriers helps create an inclusive environment. Ensure that your engagement materials and meetings are available in multiple languages if needed. Consider literary issues in the area and how you can better include everyone. Provide closed captioning for online sessions (or sign language options).
Consider accessibility to buildings where meetings are being held. Review if facilities are hard to access by those with disabilities and avoid locations that are hard to get to for people without access to transport.
Build trust and overcome fear
Building trust is a long-term process. The past conflict between your organization and the target community may be contributing to low participation.
Begin by acknowledging past issues or concerns and committing to a more inclusive approach. Engage with community leaders and organizations to vouch for the fairness and transparency of the process. Address concerns openly and work to resolve them, demonstrating that participation is valued and respected.
Empower marginalized groups
Recognize and address the power imbalances that can come with community and stakeholder engagement.
People may lack the assurance or ability to participate in an engagement process. Conventional public gatherings can feel overwhelming to certain people.
Actively seek input from marginalized groups and provide resources and support to help them participate effectively. This may include training, childcare services, financial aid, or transportation assistance.
Removing barriers to participation in community and stakeholder engagement is essential
Eliminating barriers to community and stakeholder participation in engagement is critical to creating inclusive, informed, and effective decision-making processes.
By understanding and addressing these barriers, increasing awareness, offering flexible engagement options, and building trust, you can foster an environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued.
Embracing diversity and inclusivity in community engagement efforts ultimately leads to better outcomes for all involved parties.
