Citizen engagement: from promise to practice
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Chapter 1: Introduction2 Paragrafen
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Chapter 2: Start with the right questions5 Paragrafen
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Chapter 3: Designing the participation process6 Paragrafen
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Chapter 4: Making participation succeed6 Paragrafen
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Chapter 5: Understanding the impact of participation4 Paragrafen
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Chapter 6: Skills, capacity, policies and governance needed4 Paragrafen
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Chapter 7: Final thoughts1 Paragraaf
4.4. Ensure continuous and transparent communication
Clear communication keeps people involved. It helps participants understand where they are in the process, what is happening with their input, and what will happen next. It also helps maintain trust when questions, tensions, or changes arise.
Participation and communication are closely linked. As a municipality, we believe it is important that we communicate clearly during the participation process. From beginning to end.
Marjon from Groningen
Skip the jargon
What does clear communication look like?
Up to date
It reflects the current situation, timeline, and decision-making phase.
Transparent
It makes clear who is responsible, what is being decided, and why.
Relevant
It focuses on what citizens need to know, not on internal or technical details only.
Reliable
It is fact-based, checked, and consistent across channels.
Accessible
It uses clear language and is available in formats people can understand and use.