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Institute for Local Government
Promoting Good Government at the Local Level
ILG is the research and education affiliate of the California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities.

Public Engagement Basics and Best Practices

Public Engagement Basics and Best Practices

Included here are public engagement terms, benefits, principles, and best practices for involving residents and others in local public decisions and actions.

Why Engage the Public?

Local agencies benefit when they engage the public in the civic and political life of their communities.Read more »

What Is Public Engagement?

There are many terms that describe the involvement of the public in civic and political life. We offer one set of terms and definitions here to help draw important distinctions among the various ways people can become involved. Understanding these differences will help local officials "fit" the best approach (or approaches) to the issue, policy or controversy at hand.Read more »

Principles of Local Government Public Engagement

Ten principles serve as helpful indicators of effective and ethical public engagement practice by local agencies. These principles may also help guide city, county and other local officials in the design of public engagement processes and strategies.Read more »

Assessing Your Public Engagement Activities

Learn how to measure the effectiveness of your public engagement efforts.Read more »

Guides to Public Engagement

Described here are a number of guides that suggest steps and strategies to achieving successful public engagement, primarily at the local level. The list, compiled by the Institute for Local Government, is intended to help county and city officials design and use public engagement to address local issues and controversies.Read more »

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Public Engagement

  • Public Engagement Basics and Best Practices
  • Public Engagement Publications & Resources
  • Public Engagement Topic Areas
  • Engaging the Broader Community: Immigrants, Youth, and Congregations
  • Online Engagement, Technology & Social Media
  • Sustaining Public Engagement
  • Resident Leadership Development and Citizen Academies
  • Public Engagement News & Events
 

Assessing Public Engagement Effectiveness - Rapid Review Worksheets

Here are easy-to-use tools to help assess the effectiveness of your public engagement activity.

A Local Official's Guide to Public Engagement in Budgeting

Strategies and examples to engage residents in local budgeting.

A Local Official's Guide to Immigrant Civic Engagement

Insights and examples to help ensure greater public involvement of immigrant residents.

National League of Cities Democratic Governance Panel

Drawing on case studies of successful projects, the Panel has explored ways to educate, involve, and mobilize citizens in a variety of events and initiatives.

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