Community Engagement: Challenges
Obstacles are inevitable, and should be considered in the development of the community engagement framework. Here are a few challenges to anticipate:
Time Consuming
Coordinating the means for community engagement and involving more voices in the process can delay progress to the intended goal. Program development and implementation may move more slowly than originally planned.
Potential Conflict
With more people and diverse opinions, controversy and opposition are possible. The engagement process should to be designed to address conflict and preserve focus.
Directional Shift
Community participation can be “messy.” Efforts may not be as focused as hoped, especially as the initial groundwork is being laid for collaboration. Officials must be willing to compromise on their ideas and plans to comply with public opinion for a real and meaningful partnership to exist.
High Expectations
The process of community engagement raises expectations of citizens and puts pressure on city officials to deliver. It is important to set realistic, measurable goals up front. When planning, all participants should be practical about timeframes, resources and achievable outcomes.
