Knowledge Base | Involve

What is...?

An overview of key terms in relation to participatory and deliberative democracy.
Participation

What is Public Participation?

Facilitation

Deliberative Public Engagement

Deliberative Systems Thinking

Open Government

Public engagement in public policy-making
Knowledge Base
What are the benefits of participation and deliberation?

Evidence base of the impact of participatory and deliberative processes with members of the public.
Benefits and costs of public participation

Efficiency and effectiveness of services, projects and programmes

Quality and legitimacy of decision-making

Citizenship and governance

Costs of public participation
Knowledge Base
What are the principles of effective deliberative public engagement?

Involve's nine principles of effective deliberative engagement.
1. The process makes a difference

2. The process is transparent

3. The process has, and is seen to have, integrity

4. The process is tailored to the circumstances

5. The process involves the right number and types of people

6. The process treats participants with respect

7. The process gives priority to participants’ discussions

8. The process is reviewed and evaluated to improve practice

9. Participants are kept informed

Other principles and values
Knowledge Base
What are the quality standards for participatory and deliberative processes?

Involve's standards for designing and delivering high quality participatory and deliberative processes.
1. Clear purpose

2. Sufficient time and resource

3. Reflective or diverse group of participants

4. Inclusive

5. Independent

6. Transparent and accountable

7. Balanced inputs

8. Structured dialogue

9. Collective conclusions

10. Close the feedback loop
Knowledge Base
I'm a decision/policy maker — where do I start with public engagement in decision making?

As a policy maker or decision maker, taking your first steps into participation and deliberation can be daunting. This new realm can offer many…
Get help to do it

Think about the impacts you want

Work out what question you’re asking and to whom

Think about your context - ‘who do I need to get on board?’

Find out what’s already been done

Ask yourself, ‘why do I want to do it’?
Knowledge Base
What are the benefits of public engagement in decision making?

Public dialogue and deliberation provide a range of benefits for decision makers, communities and wider society. They provide in-depth insight into…
The risks of not engaging the public

Stronger democracy

Greater trust

Empowered citizens, residents and service users

Better and more equitable decisions, and providing decision makers with more power to act
Knowledge Base
How much do participatory processes cost?

What are the costings and considerations to deliver deliberative methods well.
How much does a citizens’ assembly cost?

How much does a citizens’ jury cost?

How much does a public dialogue cost?

How much does a standing panel cost?

How much do community conversations cost?

How much does citizen visioning cost?

How much does a citizen accountability or scrutiny panel cost?
Knowledge Base
How do I plan a participatory process?

Step-by-step guidance on how to develop and design a participatory process
Introduction to planning participation

Scope

Purpose

Outputs (activities and tangible products)

Outcomes (overall results and impacts)

Context

Who to involve

Final design

Institutional response

Review of the process
Knowledge Base
How do I deliver a high quality citizens' assembly?

Sector developed standards for high quality and impactful citizens' assemblies
Frequently asked questions

Standards for citizens' assemblies

1. Clear purpose

2. Sufficient time

3. Representative

4. Inclusive

5. Independent

6. Open

7. Generative learning

8. Structured deliberation

9. Collective decision making
Knowledge Base
Where do I start with digital engagement?

A few pointers to help get you started with digital engagement for the covid era and beyond.
Introduction

Where to start

Synchronous vs. asynchronous participation

The different uses of digital tools

Digital tools database

Other resources
Knowledge Base
Fact or fiction?

Dispelling common myths about public participation
Myth 1: Engagement is too expensive

Myth 2: Citizens aren't up to it

Myth 3: Engagement only works for easy issues

Myth 4: Citizen power is a floodgate we should avoid at all costs

Myth 5: Citizens don’t want to be involved, they just want good service
Knowledge Base
What are the effects of deliberation?

Evidence of the effects of deliberation on participants and decision-making
The impact of deliberation on participants’ opinions

The impact of deliberation on empathy and common interest

The impact of cognitive bias on deliberation
Knowledge Base
How do I make the case for public participation?

Guidance on developing the business case for public participation
Introducing the valuing engagement toolkit

Stage 1: Scope the business

Stage 2: Define the focus and purpose

Stage 3: Decide what to measure

Stage 4: Complete the checklist and calculation chart

Stages 5 & 6: Analyse results and present the business case

How to fill in the calculation chart

How to feed back the results
Knowledge Base
How and why do people participate?

Findings from our research into what creates and sustains active citizenship
How and why does participation begin, continue and stop?

Why do people start participating?

Why do people continue or stop participating?

What connections are there between different forms and episodes of participation?

What are the implications of how people participate for policy practice?
Knowledge Base
How do I facilitate a participatory process?

Guidance on facilitating participatory processes
Introduction to facilitation

Facilitation skills

Facilitating tricky situations
Knowledge Base
How do I evaluate a participatory process?

Participation principles and standards
How can evaluation help?

Public engagement in public policy-making

Thinking about objectives

Where to start evaluation

Measuring success

Doing the evaluation - what should it cover?

Doing the evaluation - how to do it

After the evaluation
Knowledge Base
Videos about democracy

These are some videos of our favourite videos about democracy.Let us know your favourites via Twitter or email.
Videos about deliberative democracy

Videos about digital democracy

Videos about power
Knowledge Base
Resources

Frameworks and resources developed by Involve
Zoom Guides

Scope checklist

Context checklist

Evaluation Framework

Community cohesion and participation – a practical framework
Knowledge Base
What are citizens’ assemblies, and do they work?

What are citizens’ assemblies? Maybe you’ve heard about them, but don’t really know what they are? Perhaps you’re wondering, “do citizens’ assemblies…
Myth: CA’s take decisions that politicians should be taking...

Myth: Politicians will just ignore what the Assembly recommends...

Myth: People won't think about the common interest...

Myth: The agenda is rigged by those in power...

Myth: CA’s are a stitch up...
Knowledge Base