IAP2 has long offered valuable tools that demonstrate how and when to engage and provide insight into the principles behind effective community and stakeholder engagement.

As the field of engagement becomes more specialised, IAP2 recognised the need for a standard process for any engagement process to ensure it meets best practice principles leading to confidence in the outcome for all involved.

The standards document describes the important elements of any engagement process and was developed in response to requests for a set of ‘standardised principles’ to ensure consistency in quality and support those carrying out the process. It also allows any process to be audited against a defined standard for simpler evaluation and quality assurance.

This document outlines what each stage of a community and stakeholder engagement process should entail. It was approved by the IAP2 International Board in June 2015.

Special thanks to the working group of Lucy Cole-Edelstein, Kimbra White, Mark Ritch, Keith Greaves and Carla Leversedge who dedicated many hours over more than two years to develop this process. And to the many members who input their thoughts, views, case studies and processes to help assess the standard and process. Without our IAP2 members this work could not have been completed and we thank you.

We trust these standards will be of benefit to your organisation and as always we appreciate your feedback on their application.

Download the IAP2A Quality Assurance Standard here.

Basic ethics and courtesy require that a clear acknowledgement of the International Association for Public Participation – IAP2 International, as the source for this information is required in all cases. To use, copy or reproduce this information, you are required to submit a written request to the IAP2 International Executive Director: iap2hq@iap2.org. To facilitate your request, kindly complete the application form and submit it to IAP2HQ for consideration.