IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum

The International Association for Public Participation's (IAP2) spectrum of participation is a recognized global standard for identifying the different levels of participation. Five levels of engagement, referenced from the IAP2's Public Participation Spectrum, will be used in the Town of Cobourg's community engagement activities.

IAP2's Public Participation Spectrum shows the possible types of engagement with stakeholders and communities. The spectrum also shows the increasing level of public impact progressing through the spectrum beginning with "inform" through to "empower".

IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum - Increasing Level of Public Impact

Inform

Consult

Involve

Collaborate

Empower

Public Participation Goal:Public Participation Goal:Public Participation Goal:Public Participation Goal:Public Participation Goal:
To provide the public with balance and objective information to assist them in understanding the problems, alternatives and/or solutions.To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions.To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered.To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision, including the development of alternatives and the identification of preferred solution.To place final decision-making in the hands of the public.
Promise to Public:Promise to Public:Promise to Public:Promise to Public:Promise to Public:
We will keep you informed.We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.We will look to you for direct advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.We will implement what you decide.
Example Tools:Example Tools: Example Tools: Example Tools: Example Tools: 
  • Fact Sheets
  • Web Sites
  • Open Houses.
  • Public comment
  • Focus Groups
  • Surveys
  • Public Meetings.
  • Workshops
  • Deliberate Polling.
  • Citizen Advisory Committees
  • Consensus-building
  • Participatory decision-making.
  • Citizen Juries
  • Ballots
  • Delegated Decisions.