What are some examples of participatory methods to promote civic engagement?

1 Citizen Juries

A citizen jury is a group of randomly selected citizens who are given the opportunity to deliberate on a specific public policy question, hear from experts and witnesses, and produce a report or recommendation. Citizen juries can be used to inform policy-makers about the public's values, opinions, and trade-offs on complex and controversial issues, such as health care, environmental protection, or urban planning. Citizen juries can also increase the legitimacy and accountability of public decisions by involving the people who are affected by them.

2 Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting is a process of involving citizens in deciding how to allocate a portion of a public budget. Participatory budgeting can be implemented at various levels of government, such as municipal, regional, or national, and can cover different sectors, such as education, transport, or culture. Participatory budgeting can enhance the transparency, efficiency, and equity of public spending by giving citizens a voice and a choice in how their money is used. Participatory budgeting can also foster social inclusion, civic education, and community empowerment by engaging diverse and marginalized groups in public affairs.

3 Deliberative Polling

Deliberative polling is a method of measuring public opinion on a policy issue by combining survey research and group discussion. Deliberative polling involves surveying a representative sample of citizens before and after they participate in a moderated dialogue with other citizens and experts on the issue. Deliberative polling can reveal how public opinion changes when citizens are exposed to balanced information and diverse perspectives on the issue, as well as the reasons behind their preferences. Deliberative polling can also provide policy-makers with valuable insights into the public's values, priorities, and trade-offs on the issue.

4 Online Platforms

Online platforms are digital tools that enable citizens to access information, communicate, collaborate, and participate in public issues and decision-making. Online platforms can take various forms, such as websites, apps, social media, or e-petitions, and can serve different functions, such as informing, consulting, co-creating, or voting. Online platforms can expand the reach, diversity, and convenience of civic engagement by allowing citizens to interact with public authorities and other stakeholders anytime and anywhere. Online platforms can also enhance the quality, innovation, and responsiveness of public services by harnessing the collective intelligence, creativity, and feedback of citizens.

5 Community Mapping

Community mapping is a technique of collecting and visualizing spatial data on the assets, needs, and challenges of a community. Community mapping can be done by using various methods, such as participatory GIS, sketch maps, or mobile apps, and can involve different actors, such as residents, community organizations, or public officials. Community mapping can empower citizens to identify and address their own problems and opportunities by using their local knowledge, skills, and resources. Community mapping can also facilitate the collaboration, coordination, and communication among different stakeholders in the community by creating a common vision and action plan.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?