Page 16 - Shelter, October 2024
P. 16
THEME PAPER
be leveraged to further the articulate and implement to the needs of diverse
objectives of inclusive and inclusive strategies, visions, communities and vulnerable
participatory approaches and plans. population groups. It can play
of urban development. a crucial role in identifying
Evidence-based practices What Can Cities, Communities, urban challenges as well as in
and periodic monitoring and Citizens Do? providing local perspectives
and reporting of outcomes Citizen engagement is that can help design better
will foster trust, ensure particularly critical in urban solutions by encouraging
debate, gathering opinions,
responsiveness to the needs of settings because of the sheer and implementing innovative
all residents, and consolidate diversity and density of cities. ideas. Moreover, participatory
shared ownership of a city’s The benefits of an engaged processes benefit communities
future. Citizens and civil urban citizenry are multifold. by increasing accountability,
society thus play a key role in It can help local authorities improving policy outcomes,
ensuring that city leaders and better understand the needs reducing corruption, and
managers are accountable of communities and help in increasing access to public
to their commitments to tailoring policies catering services.
Youth Engagement Continuum
Image Source: Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing (FCYO), 2003. An Emerging Model for Working with Youth.
14 HUDCO-HSMI Publication
