Participatory Policymaking

Getting Started on Your Participatory Policy Making Playbook

Welcome! Now that you’ve determined that participatory policymaking is the right process for you, please complete the form below to create your Playbook account and start planning your participatory process! After completing this initial stage, you will have the opportunity to complete additional sets of questions for each stage of your participatory policymaking program.

Once you submit your form, you will be directed to a results page, where you will see a summary of your situation and next steps to build your playbook.

If you already have an account, log in to the Participation Playbook before completing the form. You will receive an email with a one-time link to direct you to your account dashboard. Can’t find the confirmation email in your inbox? Check your spam folder and tag the Playbook email address as non-spam.

Note that the information you provide in this form is for your planning purposes only and will not be shared with any third parties. We will also ask you for your email address, but rest assured that this is not for commercial purposes: It is so that you can access your personal playbook now and when you return to the website later. 
 

Where will the participatory policymaking process be implemented?

The playbook content was designed primarily for local governments, though it should also be generally relevant for other levels of government.

Warning - The Playbook is currently designed for local governments. You may use it for other contexts, but some questions may not fit your situation.

What is your role?

It is possible to collaborate in the implementation of a participatory process from different roles: advocating for the process as a representative of civil society organizations or within government, planning or designing as part of a government team, or as part of an independent group advising the government. Other people may be responsible for the implementation of the participatory process or for deciding to approve it, as is the case with elected officials. This playbook is intended for people who may be fulfilling any of these roles.

(Choose all that apply)

Has your participatory process already been approved by the local government?

The participatory process you wish to implement may already be approved by the local government. In this case, you should now focus on design and planning. 

If the process is not yet approved (because the local government is considering it for the first time or political agreements are still to be made), your first priority is advocacy.

We recommend that you start the Participation Playbook at the advocacy stage.

It is at this stage that you should seek partners to gain the political support necessary.

We recommend that you start the Participation Playbook at the advocacy stage.

 It is at this stage that you should seek partners to gain the political support necessary.

Do you want to build a playbook for an entire participatory policymaking process or specifically for one or more stages of a process (for example, advocacy, planning, or voting)?
Which stage(s) do you want guidance for?

Participatory policymaking processes can be simpler or more complex. Their complexity depends on what actions the authorities will take with the ideas, proposals or opinions submitted by the participants. Here’s a brief overview of what takes place during each stage:

Advocacy: Engage with local partners and make the case for the participatory process to the public and elected officials, in order to gain the political support you need to win adoption.

Planning or design: Rules and general organization of the participatory process.
Outreach and engagement: Activities to inform stakeholders and audience about the existence and characteristics of the participatory process.

Proposal submission: Submission of ideas, projects or solutions to problems that participants want to transform into policies.

Gathering of signatures and endorsements: Recruitment of support. 

Proposal development: Deliberation among participants and/or between them and the authorities to improve or develop the ideas.

Voting: Clear expression of which ideas are most preferred by participants. 

Resident monitoring of implementation: Actions taken to assure the chosen projects are implemented as planned.
Do you want additional, personalized mentorship from an expert to help you complete your playbook?
Check our webpage to better understand the benefits of working with a mentor.

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