Awareness on the Benefits of Participatory Decision Making

Output

% of [specify the group] aware of promoted benefits of participatory decision-making

This indicator assesses the proportion of the target groups aware of the key benefits of participatory decision-making processes as promoted through project-supported activities such as trainings, campaigns, or dialogue events. These groups may include local authorities, youth, grassroots group members, civil society organisations, community leaders, and the general population. Their awareness and understanding of the promoted benefits are some of the preconditions for their active engagement in the decision-making processes that affect their communities.

Determine the indicator’s value by using the following methodology:

1) Identify relevant interventions and target audiences. Clarify what “awareness” means in context.

Identify the project interventions that promote participatory decision-making and define their desired audiences or participants. Project interventions can include civic education sessions, community dialogues, media campaigns, training, or outreach activities. Based on the intervention design and communication materials, confirm the key benefits of participatory decision-making that are being promoted - the messages participants are expected to remember.

Define what it means to be “aware” in the context of the intervention. For example, this can include being able to correctly recognise or recall a minimum number of promoted benefits when prompted.

2) Develop a short awareness assessment tool. Prepare a simple questionnaire or interview guide to assess whether respondents can correctly recall or recognise the promoted benefits. Two main approaches are possible:

Unaided recall is suitable when collecting data through interviews:

Q1: What do you think are the benefits of local people participating in their local authority decisions about the future development and investments in their communities?

A1: Do not show or read options—only record those the respondent mentioned; probe extensively: “Any other benefits?”

Examples of possible promoted benefits/answers include but are not limited to:

• People get to learn about their local authorities’ plans

• People can explain what their communities need most

• People can propose ideas to local authorities that address local needs

• The local authority budgets are spent more effectively

• There is less space for corruption

• People are more satisfied with the development of their communities

• There are no benefits

• I do not know

Aided recognition is suitable if a questionnaire is completed by respondents themselves (e.g. via an online questionnaire).

Q1: What do you think are the benefits of local people participating in local authority decisions about the future development and investments in their communities?

A2: Since different target groups are likely to see different benefits (e.g. youth versus local authorities), pre-define the answers based on which benefits the project is promoting/plans to promote among the given target group members. Present a list of statements that includes both true and false options and ask which ones the respondents believe are benefits of participatory decision-making. Examples of possible answers include:

• There are no benefits

• People learn about the local authority plans and decisions

• Decisions are made without consulting the community

• People can say what their communities need most

• Only elected officials benefit from the process

• People can propose solutions to local development needs

• Participation replaces the role of local authorities

• Public resources are more likely to be spent in line with community priorities

• Transparency and accountability are strengthened

• Community input is not considered

• People are more satisfied with the decision affecting their communities

• I do not know

However, the answers must always be tailored to the local context, the target group (the respondents), and your project’s content - do not just copy these examples into your survey. 

For aided recognition questions, false answer options should be clearly incorrect or unrelated to participatory decision-making. They should avoid plausible drawbacks such as “it slows down the process of decision-making” or “it increases the risk of conflict among stakeholders”. Likewise, it should avoid value judgments (e.g. “it weakens government authority”). Plausible drawbacks and value judgements can confuse awareness with attitudes or opinions.

3) Establish a minimum threshold for awareness. Define what “awareness” means in measurable terms - for example, respondents must correctly identify or recall at least X out of X promoted benefits (e.g. at least 3 out of 5). Ensure the threshold is realistic by testing it during questionnaire piloting. For aided recognition, define how the selection of false options is treated in scoring. Selecting incorrect options should not automatically discount awareness unless this is explicitly stated in the scoring rules.

4) Collect the data by conducting individual interviews with a representative sample of your target group members. If resources are limited, consider using self-administered questionnaires such as online forms accessed via a link shared by email or messaging apps. Time data collection appropriately - after participants have had sufficient exposure to project messages or engagement activities.

5) Count the number of respondents who were aware of the minimum number of benefits of participatory decision-making.

6) To calculate the indicator’s value, divide the number of respondents aware of the minimum number of promoted benefits by the total number of interviewed respondents. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

Disaggregate the results by gender, age group, education level, geographic area, and exposure to project activities (e.g. participated vs. not participated in training or dialogue events) as relevant and feasible.

1) Use results for learning and communication: Analyse which benefits are least known and adapt your communication strategy to strengthen awareness in those areas.

2) The indicator measures recognition or recall of benefits, not necessarily understanding or practice. For deeper behavioural insights, combine this indicator with qualitative data collection on perceptions and attitudes.

3) Awareness does not always translate into action. To better understand the actual impact of increased awareness, complement this indicator with simple follow-up questions or observations about participation behaviours. An example question could be: In the past [X] months, have you taken any actions to participate in or contribute to community decision-making processes? Such follow-up questions help determine whether awareness of benefits is accompanied by real engagement or behavioural change.