Community engagement

Communities can mean different things to different people. For those who carry responsibility for public services, engaging with the community means ensuring that everyone in their local area is given the opportunity to comment on the services provided for them and on the organisation's priorities.

It also means involving them in major decisions that will improve their quality of life. This is meant to be a two-way process, with organisations benefiting from the imagination and energy of local citizens. Community engagement can involve individuals, voluntary and community organisations and public sector bodies working together to address local issues.

Last update: 09/06/2011