There are many examples of development projects – both large and small - that have failed because the key stakeholders were not consulted or engaged. Involving people in decisions that affect them is essential to encourage ownership and commitment to change.

This module provides an introduction to stakeholder and community engagement in the context of sustainable development. As LEAD Fellows have shown, engaging and empowering communities is critical to bringing about sustainable futures. In Indonesia, Tri Mumpuni (Puni) has established over 60 community renewable energy projects by engaging with local people and giving them the skills to manage local electricity plants. In Russia, Goldman prize winner Olga Speranskaya has helped NGOs implement more than 70 projects on toxic chemicals by engaging local people in on-line knowledge networks. The core content includes generic stakeholder analysis tools and approaches to engagement that can be applied in most contexts and cultures.

IDENTIFYING, ANALYSING, ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING

One of the main aims of this module is to challenge participants’ assumptions about the nature of relationships between different stakeholders affected by development challenges. Who should be consulted and how?  Who will be most affected and might there be any unintended consequences for specific groups? Who has power and influence over the decision making process? How do we ensure that everyone’s voice is heard?

Using film clips and case studies, participants learn how to take a systematic approach to developing a stakeholder engagement plan. They will also learn how to select and use the most appropriate participatory methods to suit the needs of different stakeholders. Opportunities for participants to share knowledge and experience with each other are built into the schedule. A constantly updated range of on-line learning resources including selected articles, podcasts, books and film, supports face to face learning.