1. Department of Applied Social Sciences
Increasing Levels of Participation by People within the Community: Theoretical and Policy Considerations
Dr. Shane O’Sullivan
Department of Applied Social Sciences
Master Class Series in Local Community Development
Cabragh Wetlands, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Tuesday 12 February 2019

2. Presentation Overview
Definition of Participation
Community Development and Participation: An Irish Context
Participation Theoretical Framework – Arnstein Ladder of Participation
Participation and CLLD Approach
Developing Participative Practices

3. Participation is:
‘rooted in the self identification of needs and interests, the formulation of responses by the community or group concerned and is central to their ability to continue to influence outcomes’ (All Ireland Standards for Community Work, 2015).

4. Why People Participate?
Belief in a cause.
Respond to a request for help.
Address a need.
Prevent a future problem.
Implement a solution.
Giving back to the community.
Improve community facilities, services and infrastructure.
Participate in a group, club or voluntary organisation to satisfy a personal interest.
Supply specialist skill or knowledge insight.
Contribute to improvement works.
Improve personal skills and employability.
Improve living standards.
Participate in social, cultural and economic networks.
(Adapted from Cooke, 2018 p. 18)

5. Participation Necessity
Influence the Agenda Setting
Promotes Active Citizenship
Improvement of Service Delivery
Address Social Exclusion
Enhance the Role of Civil Society in Decision Making Processes

6. Arnstein: The Ladder of Citizen Participation

7. All Ireland Standards for Community Work (2015)

8. Participative Approach
A participative approach involves promoting the rights of communities to: • Be supported to establish and develop autonomous, participative groups and networks to promote and advance their rights; • Be consulted, involved and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes that affect their lives; • Be supported to gain the confidence and skills to articulate and represent their needs in an effective and inclusive manner.
Source: All Ireland Standards for Community Work (2015)

9. Government Policy Perspective
‘Our vision is to create vibrant, sustainable, self- determining communities that have the social, cultural and economic well-being of all community members at their core, built upon a shared understanding of their needs and aspirations, and where both participative and local democracy provides community members with the opportunity, means, confidence, and skills to influence, shape and participate in decision-making structures and processes that affect them and their communities’
Source: Our Communities: A Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland (2015)

10. Principle 1
strong community participation and leveraging the capacity within communities to make a difference, with community- led or community development approaches retained as integral features of local and community development

11. Engaging with Communities
Involve communities in planning and decision-making in respect of those policies, interventions, programmes and actions that affect them;
Engage with communities directly or with the support / assistance of local authorities as appropriate, through meaningful consultation and participation / partnership approaches. This will include engagement via the Public Participation Network and other mechanisms including community organisations, focusing on meeting needs and addressing priorities identified by communities;
Support participative democracy approaches based on lessons from examples of best practice;
Support and develop existing capacity of communities and community volunteers to help them become vibrant, self-sufficient and sustainable;
Develop mechanisms that deliver greater engagement between local government and communities;
Source: Our Communities: A Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland (2015)

12. Participation: Rural Policy Considerations
The European Declarations on Rural Development (Cork, and Salzburg, 2003) promote the development of ‘A Living Countryside,’ with vibrant communities and a symbiotic relationship between people and the environment, and between spaces and places.
‘A new emphasis is being placed on promoting the effective participation of local communities in local government matters, including through the Public Participation Network and the Local Community Development Committees’ (Realising Our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development, 2017 p. 23).

13. LEADER / CLLD Approach

14. Developing Participation Practices
Raise awareness about group – target when necessary
Ensure groups activities are based on community needs
Identify & address potential barriers in advance
Involve community in participatory activities
Look at organisational structure – ensure community is well represented on management committee
Offer skills development, training
Create space for community development
Ensure transparency around activities, funding etc
Community planning and social capital audits

15. Conclusion
Neo-endogenous and community led local development approaches are essential for the facilitation of individuals to participate in local development initiatives.
Principle of Subsidiarity – empowerment of local communities.
The identification and mitigation of potential barriers to participation – promotion of social inclusion.
The necessity for effective community plans / strategies.

16. Thank You
Dr Shane O’Sullivan Department of Applied Social Sciences Limerick Institute of Technology

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