Stakeholder participation: IAP2 public participation spectrum

Resource Type:

Tools

Domain:

Knowledge Synthesis

Policy and Practice Support

Unknowns

Subject:

Collaboration

Communication

Engagement

Participation

Format:

Report

Website

Purpose:

To describe different ways community engagement can occur
To assist in the selection of the appropriate level of public participation for projects involving community engagement

Description: The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) has assessed different ways the community can be involved in any program of community engagement. The spectrum, illustrated in the figure below, shows that “differing levels of participation are legitimate and depend on the goals, time frames, resources, and levels of concern in the decision to be made.” In addition, the Spectrum sets out the “promise to the public” for each type of participation.