the CLEAR framework on participation

The table below gives a nice overview of matters to take into account when it comes to participation. I found it in a publication of VNG (found here) and it is a summary from the report of Prof. Gerry Stoker ‘Extending Local Participation' to the CDRL, October 2004.

As an architect, I like frameworks, and this one is no exception.

Factor affecting participation	How it works	Associated policy target
Can do	The individual resources that people have to mobilize and organize (speaking, writing and technical skills, as well as confidence to use them) make a difference in their capacity to participate	Capacity building: specific support measures or targeted development
Like to	To commit to participation requires a sense of involvement with the public entity that is the focus of engagement	Sense of community, civic engagement, social capital and citizenship
Enabled to	The civic infrastructure of groups and umbrella organizations makes a difference because it creates or blocs an opportunity structure for participation	To build the civic infrastructure so that there are groups and organizations around to channel and facilitate participation
Asked to	Mobilizing people into participation by asking for their input can make a big difference	Public participation schemes that are diverse, engaging and reflexive
Responded to	When asked people say they will participate if they are listened to, not necessarily agreed with, but able to see a response	A public policy system that can show a capacity to respond