Choosing the Right Community Engagement Methods

Why Your Engagement Methods Matter

The methods you choose shape who participates, how feedback is collected, and whether the community feels genuinely heard. Selecting the right engagement methods is essential for:

• Reaching the right audiences

• Supporting equitable participation

• Matching the level of community influence

• Meeting your engagement objectives

Using the wrong methods — or only relying on one — can limit input, erode trust, or result in biased outcomes.

Align Methods with Engagement Objectives

Start by reviewing your engagement objectives and the level of influence you're offering — a concept commonly aligned with the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation. For example:

Each method should support the kind of input you're seeking — from quick responses to in-depth dialogue.

Consider Your Audience

Different audiences engage in different ways. Think about:

• Digital literacy: Are online tools accessible for this group?

• Language and communication styles: Are translations or interpreters needed?

• Time availability: Would flexible formats (e.g. asynchronous feedback) help?

• Trust and history: Has this group been engaged before? Was it successful?

Your engagement strategy should meet people where they are — not expect them to come to you.

Blend Online and Offline Methods

A hybrid approach ensures wider reach and better inclusion. Examples include:

Online Engagement

• Digital surveys

• Virtual workshops or webinars

• Interactive project websites

• Social media campaigns

• Online mapping tools

Offline Engagement

• Pop-up stalls at markets or libraries

• Community meetings and open houses

• Focus groups or interviews

• Door-knocking or outreach in rural areas

• Display boards in high-traffic areas

Even highly digital projects benefit from local face-to-face engagement, especially with underrepresented or digitally excluded groups.

Match Methods to Project Phase

Your methods may change depending on the project stage:

• Early stage: Use broad-reaching tools (surveys, online maps) to gather input

• Mid-stage: Use workshops or co-design sessions to refine options

• Final stage: Use meetings or reports to explain outcomes and close the loop

Plan for multiple touchpoints, not a one-off event.

Questions to Guide Your Method Selection

• What level of participation are you offering?

• What are your stakeholders’ preferences and constraints?

• What resources (time, budget, staff) are available?

• What kind of data do you need — quantitative, qualitative, or both?

• How will you record, analyse, and respond to feedback?

What’s Next

Once you've selected your engagement methods, it’s time to map out when and how they’ll be delivered across your project timeline.

Read the next guide: Planning a Community Engagement Timeline
Or return to the full overview: How to Write a Community Engagement Plan