1. Community engagement and empowerment at the local level
Workshop 1

2. ‘The best way to improve local services and promote change is to listen to the people who use them every day and know them best.’

3. Why is community consultation and engagement important?
It is about improving the relationship between communities and government to ensure that the services provided meet the needs of the people that are using them. It can also provide a framework to help communities to monitor service delivery
In some countries consultation with the community is a statutory requirement eg Bahamas, Dominica, Jamaica

4. Improved engagement with the community can help to demystify the role and activities of local government
Increase the community’s understanding of service costs and capacities
Increase understanding of where local government can/can not act

5. Getting started
Be targeted (don’t go for topics/projects that are overly broad)
Set realistic achievable goals (don’t over commit)
Identify a budget and staff time
Set up a process that can be monitored
Remember the importance of regular communication

6. What areas lend themselves to community engagement?
Strategic planning
Community development activities
LED

7. Building partnerships with other stakeholders for stronger engagement
Identifying who should be at the table (it doesn’t have to be everyone all the time)
Local government as leader vs Local government as partner
How LG can be instrumental in scaling up on existing project/programmes (working with CSOs/NGOs/community groups)

8. What does community engagement and empowerment look like in the Caribbean?
Requirement to consult?
Examples of good practice
The challenges of ensuring effective and meaningful consultation