Use the Engagement Methods Tool to find the right tool for your community and stakeholder engagement project.
A Referendum is a formal, structured process that enables eligible voters to make a binding decision on a specific issue — typically by casting a “yes” or “no” vote. Most commonly used in constitutional or high-level policy matters, referenda are administered by electoral commissions and involve strict legal and procedural frameworks. In a local government […]
Community Organising is a long-term approach to civic participation that focuses on building the leadership, relationships, and collective power of everyday people to address issues that affect their lives. It typically involves identifying local leaders, building networks of trust, mapping shared concerns, and developing strategies for action. Unlike one-off consultations, community organising is deeply relational […]
A Citizen Assembly is a deliberative engagement method that brings together a representative group of everyday people to learn about, discuss, and provide recommendations on a specific public issue. Participants are often selected randomly to reflect the demographics of the community, such as age, gender, location, and background. Over a series of facilitated sessions, participants […]
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) also known as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is a systematic method for evaluating and comparing alternatives based on multiple, often conflicting, criteria, helping decision makers choose the best option. The aim is to allow groups to determine and agree on a set of criteria and weightings to apply to their decision […]
Dotmocracy, also known as dot-voting or idea rating, is a method for group prioritisation to help progress ideas or action.
Voting on a series of options.
Similar to an opt-in e-panel except members are randomly-selected to avoid bias.
Individualised letters sent to affected or interested community members and stakeholders.
Interactive computer application designed for smartphones, mobile devices and computer tablets.
Deliberative democracy processes are methods where a representative sample of the population, usually chosen through random selection, meet and deliberate over a few days.
A forum where a representative sample of the community deliberates on a topic, issue or proposal. Forums last at least 2 days.
A structured group of community or stakeholder representatives that meet regularly and operate under a Terms of Reference. Can vary from members providing their own feedback or ideas, to members acting as a conduit between the broader community and organisation.
Advertisements paid for in print, broadcast or online mediums. Can be used to promote projects, engagement activities or to meet legal obligations.
Deliberation and decision making is undertaken by decision makers in view of the public, such as in a public gallery or by video streaming, to enhance transparency and accountability.
A small group discussion hosted by a facilitator about a focussed topic.
Online interactive web-based seminar, presentation or workshop.
Large numbers of people who are selected to be representative of the population and be a part of a panel that deliberates on a range of issues over a set period of time. Surveys are distributed during the time to understand community attitudes, feedback, issues and behaviour. Can track changes as well.
Presentations and discussions with community or stakeholder groups. Can vary widely from informing to gathering feedback, ideas or options.
Process where the community works with an organisation through its budgeting process.
Media releases, pitches or briefings provided to journalists to publish free editorial on engagement projects or issues.
A public information session incorporating a series of displays or stations staffed by technical experts, engagement professionals or the project team.
A highly-structured method involving a representative jury or panel of non-expert citizens who deliberate during a chaired public hearing held over 2-4 days where they hear evidence from a range of different experts. Jury members decide who to call in as expert witnesses. Participants make recommendations or decisions.
A large-scale 2-3 day event where a large number of diverse people come together to consider information, engage in dialogue, participate in interactive activities and make recommendations.
A representative sample of citizens are randomly selected to form a citizen’s jury which deliberates on a problem or opportunity. The jury hears evidence from witnesses, in front of a public gallery, before adjourning to deliberate and make a recommendation or decision.
