Although everyone agrees that community participation is vital to the development of projects and programmes, there is less consensus on the definition of Participation (see download "What is Participation? Susan B. Rifkin, Maria Kangere) Here, definitions are listed for discussion. However in terms of both developing needs led services and personal growth, the following appears to be the most concise and appropriate:
"An active process where intended beneficiaries influence programme outcomes and gain personal growth" - (Oakley 1989)
The range of opportunities for Participation is as broad and diverse as the community itself. This may include;
- Information newsletters, letters, press releases, word of mouth etc
- Empowerment information about the UN Convention of the Rights of the child to be heard (Article 12), exercises and examples to demonstrate how community involvement has in the past enabled change and development in line with expressed needs
- Consultation focus groups, questionnaires, events with researchers asking questions, graffitti wall etc
- Collaboration involving the community as members of a management group or committee
- Delegation providing a community chest of money for commununities to spend themselves on the priorities as they see them
The important emphasis in the quote above is about the two strands of Outcome and Empowerment. Children and families involvement in the design, delivery and evaluation of Children's Fund Projects is fundamental to the programme and the development of needs led services. Personal Growth however is the outcome most valued by Children and Families themselves (National Evaluation Children's Fund, Research report no 602, DfES) in other words, Participation adds value to the project about which families are being asked. Getting involved in the process of Participation provides positive outcomes in itself!
The range of opportunities to ensure that children, young people, their families and carers are able to contribute to the design, delivery and evaluation of services is as broad and diverse as the community itself.
