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Strategies for Engaging Impacted Constituents

 

My personal philosophy dictates that programmatic interventions are more likely to be supported by a community if the community is involved in every aspect of project development, execution and evaluation.  Sustainability is a key factor in achieving positive outcomes on a long-term basis, and sustainability is challenging to obtain if the community is indifferent toward (or resistant to) interventions from outsiders.  The benefit of involving the community in planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects, programs and services is that community members will often feel a sense of ownership and personal investment in the project and contribute to its success and longevity. 

 

My first priority is to establish common ground with impacted constituents by demonstrating my commitment to the community and to our shared values and goals.  Through creating partnerships with established, reputable organizations that serve the impacted constituents and coalitions of community-based organizations we can address issues impacting the constituents in a methodical manner that efficiently uses limited resources.  The effectiveness of the programs and services are determined by the level of involvement of constituents and target community members, as ownership by the impacted community is the largest determining factor for success of an intervention. 

 

Change can be daunting for some; even small environmental alterations can be perceived as monumental shifts for those whose lives are filled with uncertainty.  A solid communications plan is crucial for the success of a program plan to foster acceptance of an unfamiliar environment and willful adaptation to new conditions.  Each element of the plan should convince the audience of the benefits of the new conditions in a culturally-appropriate manner, highlighting the potential for positive impact on a personal level.  It should be clear that the messages are coming from a trusted source within the community, not from outside intervention that could be interpreted as paternalistic.  Most important are the influencers within the target community who act as program champions to drive messages into the hearts of those who will benefit most from the information that will serve to improve the overall well-being of immigrant and refugee communities.

 

The strategies I have found to be the most effective in engaging impacted constituents:

 

 

Create opportunities for dialogue

 

  • Host or participate in a community forum

  • Ask probing questions about an issue impacting the constituents and potential strategies for response

  • Note feedback, aspirations, priorities for change, cultural dynamics and incorporate into program design

  • Involve constituent leaders and representatives from minority and marginalized groups in discussions to collect feedback from as many perspectives as possible

  • Use familiar settings, language, meeting format, language and modes of communication to build trust and demonstrate cultural sensitivity

 

Partner with established community-based organizations (CBOs)

 

  • Capitalize upon existing relationships and deep understanding of community structure, culture, attitudes and beliefs of constituents

  • Established CBOs often have built trust and have established credibility with impacted constituents and may share a common interest    in serving the community

  • Connect CBOs to resources, provide technical assistance, engage in capacity-building to achieve mutually beneficial goals and objectives

  • Set clear expectations of how to combine efforts in the most efficient and respectful manner

  • Build coalitions among CBOs targeting the same constituents that share a similar vision

  • Co-organize classes, workshops, or other manner of information exchange in a culturally-sensitive manner

Develop and utilize advocates

 

  • Identify influencers/champions and work together to reach target populations with mutually agreed-upon messages based on common goals and objectives

  • Form geographically-based or ethnically-based committees that foster support for advocates

  • Train peer educators to reach youth with positive messages and serve as role models

  • Create youth councils to give youth a voice in discussions of civic and social issues and provide leadership training to coach youth to serve as the next generation of leaders

  • Advocates can interpret and vet messages intended to reach impacted constituents and add credibility to outreach activities

  • Advocates build networks and serve as a  link between impacted constituents and necessary information or services

Connect through participation in community events and targeted communications

 

  • Have a presence at community events to demonstrate commitment to community development, foster trust and solidarity with the constituents’ communities

  • Show cultural appreciation by adapting to socially-accepted communication styles and norms and modes of communication

  • Distribute messages through radio, television, internet, social media, flyers, newspapers, newsletters, as appropriate depending on the       preferred mediums and access to technology

  • Collect information via surveys, interviews, focus groups, committees and working groups

In order to be effective, the strategies employed to engage impacted constituents should be based

on the following principles:

 

  1. Cultural competency and ethnic sensitivity

  2. Responsiveness and responsibility to the culture and needs

  3. Foster awareness and celebration of culture

  4. Impacted communities and constituents should have a voice in the decision-making process and take ownership of program development, execution and evaluation

  5. The process of program development, execution and evaluation should serve to empower, strengthen and build capacity within communities and among impacted constituents

  6. Constituents should be informed of the decisions that could impact their lives and have opportunities for input

  7. Programs and policies should reflect local priorities, accepted practices and cultural values

  8. Engagement is a two-way dialogue in which all views are represented, respected and inclusive of diverse viewpoints

 

Please read more about my community engagement work in Peru by clicking here.

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