Good practices for Social inclusion - Case studies and summary

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A practical way forward can be the making of an inventory and analysing innovative
pro-poor community participation and gender initiatives for improved sanitation and
hygiene.
Have the existing political agendas been recognised? Can the process design respond in a
timely fashion to changing political arenas?
A positive attitude among officials and politicians, at local and central government level, is
fundamental. The political context shapes the outcome of an inclusion process; these outcomes
can surprise stakeholders and change their initial attitude. Every political process has a degree
of fluidity, consequently political processes can suddenly change directions in policy and
strategy and this affects decision making for public resources. Nearly everywhere politics
involves wheeling and dealing between interests and stakeholders. As social inclusion does not
immediately show results the necessary time and resources to achieve inclusion are frequently
threatened. Tips and Tricks are:
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Any community development project needs support of both the local politicians and the
technocrats. Their involvement needs to be based on a genuine understanding of IUWM to
avoid later shift to populism, power politics or bureaucratic procedures.
The competency to maintain focus and commitment to the achievement of social inclusion,
especially in dynamic political settings and decision making, cannot be underestimated.
As newly elected representatives have less knowledge and understanding. You will need to
work on bringing new actors on board.
Preserving the continuity and institutional memory provided by civil servants needs to be
factored, especially in times of mounting political change or turmoil.
Considerable scepticism between government and residents can exist because of past
interaction, this will need to be explored and dealt with
Participatory Budgeting (PB) from Porto Alegre to Harrow, London
Participatory Budgeting is a specific strategy for achieving social inclusion. PB can take a
number of forms, can take place at different stages of the budget process, and can comprise
different levels of citizen engagement in the processes. Participation of citizens in budgetary
elements of government can help to improve the scope and levels of services provided. This
approach was initiated in Porto Alegre, Brazil and this example set a (gold) standard for
Participatory Budgeting (PB).
Summary Conclusions
1. Understanding the basics of social inclusion and addressing them fully is fundamental.
Implementing selected elements of the process or working with selected groups will be
counterproductive.
2. Social inclusion is a process and an outcome; the second can only occur if the first is
done effectively.
3. In cases where there is insufficient consistency of inclusion efforts and processes, catch
up processes will need to be planned for.
4. Working towards inclusion requires dedication, resources and creative thinking.
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