Public Engagement

Inclusive public engagement is key to building trust, equity, and stronger communities.

Inclusive public engagement is a cornerstone of ILG’s work and expertise. We often help local agencies engage with target populations that are diverse, under-represented, or disengaged. We help reach out to and partner with community-based organizations to inform, design, and implement customized public engagement processes that tackle a wide range of pressing local issues. Through our tailored, responsive, and customized approach, we’ve helped dozens of cities, counties, and special districts achieve success.

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Inclusive Public Engagement

Local governments throughout California have experienced a variety of benefits thanks to inclusive public engagement. ILG provides tipsheets and resources to effectively plan and implement inclusive engagement strategies.

Guide for local government engagement: Think, Initiate, Engage, Review, Shift, illustrated with icons.

T.I.E.R.S. Public Engagement Framework

The Institute for Local Government has developed a five pillar framework any local government can use to plan and execute public engagement efforts.

Public Engagement Trainings

ILG regularly offers two specific public engagement trainings: a two-day deep dive on our T.I.E.R.S. Framework, as well as "Meeting Mastery," which helps you design and facilitate productive, interesting, and engaging public meetings.

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Increasing Outreach

Research, resources, and case stories to help ensure that participation in public engagement efforts more fully reflect the demographics of your community.
This includes information about ways to work with community partners to engage a broader cross section of the community, including youth and immigrant residents, as well as how to work more effectively with clergy and congregations.

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Public Engagement & Technology

Technology can help local governments change the who, when, where and how of educating and engaging local residents. Whether it’s economic development, housing, immigrant integration or a local contentious issue, local agencies are experimenting with different kinds of technology to enhance their engagement of the public.

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Sustaining Public Engagement

Resources and case stories to support local agencies move from one-time efforts to a sustaining capacity for public engagement approaches and strategies.