D2.1 Stakeholder Involvement Handbook - AENEAS

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D2.1 Stakeholder Involvement Handbook How is it used with other techniques? Questionnaires can be very useful in supporting other techniques. Survey results can, for example, provide useful data and support for focus groups or workshops and questionnaires can be used to identify individuals who would like to get involved in more engagement activities. What are the drawbacks? Some questionnaires receive poor response rates and incentives may be required to encourage people to return their questionnaires. Used in isolation, ‘closed’ questionnaires do not produce in-depth information and may not fully identify key issues or problems. Questionnaires will not be appropriate for some stakeholders, e.g. those with low literacy levels. All written documents should have an adequate font size (12pt. if possible) and good contrasts of colours in order to enhance readability. More information can be found in GUIDEMAPS, stakeholder engagement handbook, Vol. 2. 8.2 Public meetings, roundtables and workshops A public meeting is one of the most common forms of public engagement. At a meeting, there is an opportunity to both inform participants and to receive input from the community. Such events, however, may have quite different formats, depending on the aims and purposes. Selection of the appropriate format and good preparation are therefore keys to success – whether or not working with older people. In addition, such events may constitute quite different levels of involvement (see ladder of involvement, chapter 5) – from mere information to real participation in decisions. Selected formats (non exhaustive) • Information Meeting: This is the most common, but least interactive format. On the one hand, it is quite easily prepared and you may reach a large number of people. On the other hand, people might get opposed since they do not really feel being involved, other they may not even show up. • Roundtable: A format that is particularly adequate for smaller, “semi-public” groups meeting regularly to discuss specific issues. This format could be your choice if you want to join different stakeholders who are represented by only one or two representatives each. • Workshop: To be honest, literally everything can be named workshop. However, what we have in mind here are events where citizens and planners (and other stakeholders) work together on specific issues, using tools like role plays or case studies among others. • Coffee Party: A rather informal format, fostering exchange and building contacts in an open atmosphere. It could, however, become difficult to follow a special agenda in such an environment. On the other hand, personal exchange and feedback is enhanced. Also a good icebreaker when starting to get to know each other. Meetings such as these can enable group discussion on proposals and will help to reassure the public that its voice is being heard. Public meetings may also be appropriate when trying Page 20 Green City
D2.1 Stakeholder Involvement Handbook to generate interest in the project and specific issues within a community. The pertinent factor here will be in effectively publicising the project and public meeting, particularly highlighting why the project is important and why they should attend. Practical Information Who participates and how? All stakeholders, but particularly citizens can be addressed by public meetings. In some instances, participation is structured, either by sub-dividing the group into smaller groups at larger meetings or by holding events in different geographic areas. How much does it cost? Resource and staff needs can be substantial depending on the type of meeting and the information provided. Typically, the meeting will take two to three hours. A large hall or meeting space is required and catering for large numbers may be resource-intensive, but will invite more informal discussions and acknowledge people's input. What skills are required? Well-developed facilitation skills are very important in this context. Public meetings or forums can often attract large numbers of people who may feel very passionately about the issue being discussed and may focus the meeting on one particular aspect of whatever proposal is on offer. How is it used with other techniques? A media strategy is useful for a public meeting to attract the widest possible audience. For example, advertising for public events generally includes more than a single newspaper advertisement. During a public meeting, a brainstorming or visioning technique may be used. What are the drawbacks? • If it is only an information event, it does not foster dialogue; • It can create a community versus organisation environment; • It can be an intimidating space for individuals to speak; • It can become dominated by a vocal minority; • For some older people, the efforts to come to such an event might be too high. More information can be found in GUIDEMAPS, stakeholder engagement handbook, Vol. 2. Page 21
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D2.1 Stakeholder Involvement Handbook - AENEAS

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