Stakeholder Participation


AUDIENCE AND OBJECTIVES
The course is aimed at both those conducting stakeholder participation processes, and at stakeholders themselves. It aims to build an awareness of the process and its various dimensions: for project proponents or participation practitioners to better understand how to engage stakeholders; and for stakeholders to learn how they can play a more active role in the processes that govern their future.

Project Proponent/Government
  • regional councils
  • local constituency offices
  • municipalities
  • projects/programmes
  • private sector

Specific Objectives

  • Sensitize to the process, why it is necessary, and its potential benefits
  • Become aware of different aspects of the communication process – e.g.
  • "levels" of SP involvement, from awareness to participation
  • stakeholders’ role in defining participatory process
  • create awareness of issues of discrimination, inclusivity, bias
  • awareness of legal aspects, existing frameworks
  • To propose a few techniques, when they are appropriate:
  • basic mapping of stakeholders and their interests
  • setting communication objectives/planning
  • selection of appropriate communication techniques
 Stakeholders
  • Community Based Organisations (CBOs)
  • Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  • Community members

Specific Objectives

  • Sensitize to the process
  • Educate stakeholder groups on their “rights”:
  • What they can expect to gain from participating
  • What are their rights, what can/should they expect to be consulted
  • Create an understanding of the process to be able to play a stronger role in defining their own opportunities to participate
  • Explore how stakeholders can organize themselves to have stronger voice/ representation? What structures may be appropriate?



FORMAT
The course is packaged into a number of modules, each of which can be flexibly tailored to audience and time limitations—in some cases modules may be entirely omitted.
Each module has a brief introduction to key ideas supported by open discussion in order to share experiences. This is followed by practical group exercises to build on the concepts learned and expose the complexities that arise when theory is taken to practice. The exercises are based on a fictional scenario which is built upon from one step to the next.

COURSE MATERIAL
The idea for this course grew from a IW:Learn/ Environmental Law Institute course on Public Participation in International Waters Management. Based on a number of sources, this course attempts to present key concepts by collating essential references as supporting material. All sources are acknowledged in the reference list for each module.

General material

Course Overview

Who is a stakeholder, why is stakeholder participation important, audience and objectives, format, course material, how the course works and further reading.

Scenario for working sessions

Description of a scenario that will be used in working sessions throughout the course. The participant will have to choose 2 of the 3 scenarios available.


Material for each module

Slide Presentation

Summarised key concepts and questions for discussion.

Module Overview

Brief guidance on key concepts and outcomes and supporting material.

Presenter Notes

Collation of essential references covering the key concepts.

Case Studies

Examples of stakeholder participation processes that helps the participant to broaden his/her knowledge in a diversity of aspects around the globe. The case studies will give the participants a chance to apply the knowledge acquired through the modules.