What is Facilitation? Facilitation is the process of taking a group through learning or change in a way that encourages all members of the group to participate It is essential for any community development work, as it is an empowering process and enables groups that are vulnerable or marginalised to gain confidence and realise their potential

Trust your group! This approach assumes that without each person’s knowledge and contribution, the group’s ability to understand or respond to a situation may be reduced It also assumes that each person has something unique and valuable to share Trust your group

Facilitation is a service to others The most important job of a facilitator is to protect the process of those being facilitated. The process is how the group goes about accomplishing their task. The problem or content is what they are working on The facilitator is the protector of the process

The function of facilitation The function of facilitation is to keep the meeting focused and moving, and to ensure even participation, shared understanding and inclusive decision- making, when appropriate.

Other Definitions Coordinating rather than leading an exercise so that all group members are encouraged to participate in the discussion or activity A process of decision making guided by a facilitator who ensures that all affected individuals and groups are involved in a meaningful way and that the decisions are based on their input and made to achieve their mutual interest

Other Definitions Helping others to think through what they want and organise themselves to achieve it The art of leading people through processes towards agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership and creativity by all those involved

The Role of a Facilitator Recognises the strengths and abilities of individual group members and helps them to feel comfortable about sharing their hopes, concerns and ideas Supports the group, giving participants confidence in sharing and trying out new ideas Leads by example through attitude, approach and actions

The Role of the Facilitator Values diversity and is sensitive to the different needs and interests of group members. These differences might be due to gender, age, sexuality, disability, race, culture, profession, education, economic or social status

The Role of the Facilitator A consultant who designs work sessions with a specific focus or intent An advisor to bringing out the full potential of working groups A provider of processes, tools and techniques that can get work accomplished quickly and effectively

The Role of a Facilitator A person who keeps a group meeting on track Someone who helps resolve conflict Someone who draws out participation from everyone Someone who organises the work of a group Someone who makes sure goals are met Someone who provides structure to the work of a group

Remember the group can look after itself! The facilitator needs to believe in the intrinsic power that each group has, to do its own work. If it is a problem that needs to be solved, the facilitator needs to believe that the group has the wisdom to clarify the best solution to the problem, and that most of the resources to do this lie within the group.

The Group’s Role The facilitator’s role is to make it as easy as possible for the group to find its own answer, to solve its own problem. This is the group’s task, not the facilitator’s.

Different from Teaching Teaching is sharing of information in one direction Presents ideas from the front Formal relationship with students

Facilitation Sharing of information in several directions Facilitator sits with the group and encourages discussion Facilitator is a leader without a leadership role Facilitator is an equal without leadership role

A good facilitator: personal qualities HumilityGenerosity PatienceUnderstanding AcceptanceAffirmation PerceptionAbility to challenge

Facilitation skills Listening to others Communicating clearly Checking understanding, summarising and drawing together different ideas Thinking and acting creatively Managing people’s feelings Encouraging humour and respect Being well prepared while remaining flexible Keeping to time without being driven by it