Community-driven engagement practices are beneficial far beyond meeting funder expectations. It ensures that more members of the community can participate by giving historically underrepresented groups the opportunity to share their perspectives and needs. When a wide range of voices are included, the resulting policies and initiatives are more likely to be fair and effective, addressing the diverse needs of the entire community rather than a small, vocal contingent with the privilege to attend traditional public hearings. Wide-ranging perspectives bring a wealth of ideas, experiences, and solutions to the table, which can lead to more innovative and effective problem-solving. When all stakeholders are involved, potential issues and challenges can be identified earlier, allowing for better project
The practice fosters a sense of belonging, empowerment, and partnership among community members. When people see that their input is valued and has an impact, they are more likely to feel connected to their community and motivated to participate in civic activities. This empowerment can lead to greater community cohesion and collective action, as individuals feel more responsible for and invested in their community's well-being. An engaged and united community is a resilient community.
Finally, community-driven engagement builds trust between community members and local authorities or organizations. Trust is a crucial component of a functioning and harmonious society, as it fosters cooperation and reduces conflicts. When people feel that their voices are heard and respected, they are more likely to trust the processes and institutions that govern their lives. This trust can lead to stronger partnerships and a more stable and supportive community environment, ultimately contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of community initiatives.
When is Community Driven Engagement Needed?
Community engagement is a continuous cycle — even without a current project or plan where consultation or collaboration with residents is desired, education and advocacy lays the groundwork for an informed (and sympathetic) community when the need arises.
Consider expanding the scope of where and when you currently actively seek out community engagement aside from general purpose agenda posting and social media information. Sometimes Community-Driven Engagement is a requirement you are expected to report on, such as DOLA-funded comprehensive plans or some federal funding. In some cases, communities have incorporated requirements of when a public engagement process is triggered through an equity-based policy lens or other mechanism.
A community-driven engagement approach should be utilized with any public project or planning purpose that affects community member lives. There may be obvious projects such as a Comprehensive Plan rewrite or an infrastructure project that involves road closures, public funding, and specific neighborhoods, but it's also very worthwhile to keep inclusive community engagement in your toolbelt when undertaking routine planning procedures, such as capital improvement plans and budgeting.
With enough time and an open mind, you can empower residents to determine the course of a project and work with them on its implementation. Consensus can be reached through facilitated small group consultation. A broader group can be reached through a process that involves residents on meaningful aspects of a project. Consults utilizing public engagement tools can also reach a wider range of the public. And, of course, keeping people informed at whatever level of input you seek is necessary for transparent action.
Things to think about:
- What are the goals of the project?
- How much does the community know about the project and its impact?
- What decisions have already been made?
- What decisions could the community inform?
- How will community engagement fit into the project timeline?
- Is there the capacity to perform good public engagement?
If the goals of the project are pre-determined and public engagement will not inform decisions, education and transparency should be the baseline level of communication. Authentic inclusive engagement requires the time and capacity to incorporate appropriate input from residents.