Stages of community participation

In order to successfully facilitate community participation it is important to understand the stages or phases in community mobilisation. There are five stages in creating meaningful community participation process.

A. Initiation Stage

It is the first stage of the process where the program goals and scope are defined. It is the phase at which something activates the need to involve people, and you start to think about community involvement. The very first step in designing any community engagement process is to define the problem that needs to be resolved.

B. Planning Stage

The planning stage involves working out our programs details, budgeting and resource identification. At this stage, you should select groups and individuals who will be affected by or who will likely care about the problem or opportunity to be addressed. It is an essential step in the development of successful community participation.

C. Design Stage

In the design stage, the details activities are further developed. At this stage, you will be able to list specific activities to be performed according to the plan. You have also clearly stated the need for community participation and their role

D. Implementation Stage

Implementation is a process of putting the plan and detailed activities into accomplishment. At this stage you actual execution of the program as planned.

E. Maintenance Stage

The maintenance or management stage is a long-term process and involves the upkeep of the program.