Both citizen engagement and participation have the same goal: to improve citizen-government partnership, but they are distinct in their approaches.
Fremont, CA: In recent years, there has been a transition from top-down to more horizontally organized forms of government. Cities, for example, use citizen engagement efforts to tap into their inhabitants' wisdom. According to the concept of citizen involvement, citizen should have some say in decisions that affect their lives. Even though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, citizen engagement and citizen participation are not synonymous.
Although these philosophies appear to be similar, they have opposing viewpoints on the role that citizens should play. The main distinction between citizen engagement and citizen participation is that citizen engagement necessitates an active, intentional interaction between citizens and public decision-makers. In contrast, citizen participation can be initiated only by citizens.
How is citizen engagement different from citizen participation?
Citizen engagement
● Governments initiate citizen involvement as a top-down initiative.
● It is formal in nature. Cities give residents the tools they need to participate in decision-making.
● Its key challenges include determining what matters to individuals, persuading them to participate, and providing them with all the information they need to make well-informed decisions.
● Participatory budgeting programs, city surveys, and ideation are all common examples.
Citizen participation
● Citizen participation is a grassroots movement started by citizens.
● It has a laid-back vibe to it. It does not necessitate official city regulations, but it also cannot be applied to all policy initiatives.
● The organization's key challenges are gaining adequate citizen support and focusing on wider policy sectors that demand more inclusivity and knowledge.
● Citizen initiatives, local networks, the right to challenge, and petitions are all common examples.
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