Developing a Participation Strategy

Define the context (and opportunity)

a confetti background with 7 different coloured jigsaw pieces with the letters from the word Context on them.

When planning participation, it is important to understand the wider context:

  • What has come before?
  • What is the history behind this or similar work?
  • What awareness is there around the topic or issue?
  • What is practical in terms of budget, resources and time?

The following questions can help to understand the context:

  • Is the time right in the decision-making process for participation?
  • What are the opportunities for participants to influence the decision-making process(es)?
  • Does this activity duplicate other activity, or come after a similar process that has involved similar participants?
  • Is there sufficient resource to carry out any activity?

Download a PDF of this guide

Detailed guide to planning a participation exercise (294kB)