Local engagement in democracyFindings and implications from Pathways through Participation18th October 2011Twitter: #pthwys

Available from:

www.pathwaysthroughparticipation.org.uk/resources

How and why does participation begin, continue and stop?

Research questions

Can trends and patterns of participation be identified over time?

What connections, if any, are there between different forms and episodes of participation and what triggers movement between them?

Approach

3 field work areas:LeedsEnfieldSuffolk

Individual at the heartQualitative research

101 in-depth interviews

Participation as ‘situated practice’

Stakeholder engagement

Life stories

What is participation?

Social participation: the collective activities that individuals are involved in

Public participation: the engagement of individuals with the various structures and institutions of democracy

Individual participation: people’s individual actions and choices that reflect the kind of society they want to live in

Why participation starts

An emotional reactionA personal life eventAn external influence

Practical resourcesLearnt resourcesFelt resources

Groups and organisationsLocal environment and place

Helping othersDeveloping relationshipsExercising values & beliefsHaving influenceFor personal benefitBeing part of something

Why participation continues or stops

Friendships

Life event

Relationships

TimeHealth

Enjoyment

Impact

Energy

The factors that shape participation

Individual motivations and resources

Relationships and social networks

Groups and organisations

Local environment and place

Wider societal and global influences

Trends and patterns of participation over time

Critical moments

Life stage

Priorities

Conclusions

Participation is personal

Participation can be encouraged, supported & made more attractive

Significant barriers to participation are entrenched

Briefing paper

Also available from:

www.pathwaysthroughparticipation.org.uk/resources

Local engagement in democracy

Social participation: the collective activities that individuals are involved in

Public participation: the engagement of individuals with the various structures and institutions of democracy

Individual participation: people’s individual actions and choices that reflect the kind of society they want to live in

Local engagement in democracy

The language and image

The accessibility The practice

Language and image

Perceptions of activities were important

Perceptions of the political system

But perceptions can be overcome

Not ‘political’

Voting a ‘civic duty’

Safe seats discourage political participation

Politicians seen as self-serving

Positive opinions of particular political representatives

Low levels of trust and confidence

Practice

Opportunities to participate

Negative experiences of public consultations

Perceptions of impact

No examples of public bodies proactively engaging with people

Examples of bringing about change through lobbying

Tokenistic and/or repetitious

Decision already made

People wanted to see the impact of their participation

Tension between motivation of citizens and needs of public bodies

Accessibility

Opportunities to participate

People’s resources

Relationships and groups

Need to complement people’s lives

Need to respond to their needs motivations and expectations

A lack of resources stop people from participating

Sometimes due to systemic inequalities

Groups important source of public participation

Relationships can determine success of participation

Language and image

Practice Accessibility

Increase impact of individual’s vote

Engage with citizens on their terms

Value, respect and resource those already actively engaged

Involve people early and be genuine

Understand people’s motivations and be flexible

Show the impact and limit the cost of participation

Show that people will be welcome and valued

Support social participation

Work with those actively engaged to connect with others

Recognise what is easy and difficult to influence

Implications

What has particularly struck you?

What are the implications?

What else do we need to

know?

Group discussion