SPACES FOR CSO PARTICIPATION

Invited vs Claimed Space

INVITED SPACE

● spaces for participation made possible by government inviting CSOs to enter engagement rooms. ● CSOs are invited to give their inputs or to receive information on government policy. ● Government invites CSOs for various reasons, which include merely complying with law (regulation) mandates, obtaining information from CSOs, or requesting CSOs’ significant involvement in policy-making processes.

CLAIMED SPACE

● participation by claiming or taking advantage of the spaces created by the State’s legal framework ● legal framework provides many opportunities (rooms) for the public to get involved in public decision-making processes. – However, government seldom proactively invites the people to enter these legally made rooms; CSOs therefore take the initiative by playing active roles in using these rooms.

GUIDE QUESTIONS: ● What are the claimed /invited spaces in your chosen engagement arena (line agencies, regional bodies, etc) which CSOs need to fully maximize? ● What are the other spaces that need to be created to constructively engage government?

Suggested format for Reporting Government Agency Existing Spaces for engagement Assessment + / - Opportunities for engagement