Policy Webinar: Community Engagement

In this episode of U-CAN’s policy webinar series, titled “Community Engagement in Our Cities,” the focus is on how community engagement can drive impactful urban change. The panel features Ms. Sarah Mishra from Reap Benefit and Mr. Santosh Nargund from Janaagraha, both of whom have led efforts to involve citizens in local problem-solving initiatives. Key themes include the importance of community engagement, breaking down larger problems into manageable tasks, and employing iterative, community-driven solutions to address urban challenges. 

The webinar will delve into the challenges of community engagement, such as systemic barriers and the complexity of urban governance, and explore how partnerships between NGOs, governments, and corporates can help scale these efforts. The session will conclude with audience Q&A and a poll to gauge the biggest challenges and most important factors for effective community engagement, reinforcing the need for collaboration in solving urban problems.

Overview

The Community Engagement webinar organised on 18th October 2024 attempted to explore community engagement in our cities with panelists who have successfully demonstrated approaches to involve communities in problem-solving. Siddharth Pandit – CEO, Urban Collective Action Network moderated the panel comprising Sarah Mishra, Senior Director, Fundraising, Finance, and Partnerships – Reap Benefit, and Santosh Nargund, Head – Civic Participation, Janaagraha.

Objectives 

• Examine various groups we jointly bracket in the term ‘community’, 
• Why it’s important to involve people in decision-making, 
• Understand the link between community engagement and governance,
• Systemic challenges in involving people in governance.

Key Outcomes

Community Engagement for Effective Governance: Building stronger communities starts with local action—engaging with like-minded neighbors and reaching out to local representatives. Empowered citizens can address issues directly, and positive interactions with elected officials can motivate more people to become active participants, thereby improving local governance and community functioning.

Community Formation and Civic Action: Communities come together for diverse reasons—cultural, civic, or political—and play a fundamental role in democratic engagement. Examples like the Karnataka Ward Samithi Bharaga initiative illustrate the effectiveness of organized local action, where a community-led effort surveyed parks and identified opportunities for improvements, leading to the planting of over 10,000 trees in a short span. The discussion highlighted the importance of community organization in addressing local issues and collaborating with government entities for sustainable solutions.

Need for Citizen Participation: True participative democracy requires active citizen engagement beyond just voting. It involves holding the government accountable and collaborating with it to address community issues. Citizens’ involvement is crucial as the government alone often lacks the capacity to solve all problems.

Barriers to Citizen Engagement: Key challenges include the lack of mentorship, absence of consistent community structures, limited skills, and a need for encouragement. Additionally, the absence of a common platform for civic engagement hampers citizens’ efforts to contribute effectively.

Engaging Local Representatives: Local elected officials, such as city councillors, play a crucial role in resolving community issues. Direct engagement with these representatives can expedite problem-solving, whereas bypassing local channels often results in delays.

Institutional Mechanisms for Sustained Engagement: Institutional platforms, like ward committees and area sabhas, facilitate ongoing community-government collaboration. Despite their potential, such mechanisms are underutilized in many states, though recent efforts in places like Karnataka indicate progress toward better local governance.

Gender and Participation: Contrary to common assumptions, young girls from underserved communities are actively participating in civic initiatives, comprising 55% of the participants. They address both common community issues like waste management and gender-specific concerns, such as menstrual hygiene and safety in public spaces, showcasing their capacity to drive change.