PAGE 1: COVER & INTRODUCTION
THE IAP2 SPECTRUM OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A Practical Guide to Community Engagement Levels for KCCA RCCE
KCCA RCCE Learning Platform | Module 4
Introduction:
The IAP2 (International Association for Public Participation) Spectrum is a proven framework for designing community engagement. It defines five levels of participation, each with increasing community influence over decisions.
The Spectrum helps you answer the critical question: “How much do we want communities to participate in THIS specific activity?”
Different activities need different levels. You don’t need EMPOWER level for everything. But you DO need to be intentional about which level you choose.
PAGE 2: THE 5 LEVELS OVERVIEW
The IAP2 Spectrum (Left to Right = Increasing Community Influence)
| Level | Goal | Community Promise | When to Use |
| 1. INFORM | Provide information | “We’ll keep you informed” | Basic facts, one-time alerts |
| 2. CONSULT | Get feedback | “We’ll listen to your concerns” | Testing messages, gathering input |
| 3. INVOLVE | Partner in activities | “We’ll work with you” | Implementation, co-delivery |
| 4. COLLABORATE | Make decisions together | “We’ll partner with you” | Strategy, problem-solving |
| 5. EMPOWER | Community leads | “You decide, we support” | Peer education, community mobilization |
PAGE 3: LEVEL 1 – INFORM
GOAL: Provide balanced, objective information to help communities understand the situation and options.
Community Promise: “We’ll keep you informed.”
When to Use:
- Urgent alerts (outbreak confirmed)
- Basic facts (transmission, symptoms)
- One-time announcements (clinic hours changed)
- Broadcasting information (radio spots)
What Communities Can Expect:
- One-way information flow
- No input sought from community
- Information coming from official sources
How to Do It:
- Radio, SMS, posters, community announcements
- Clear, accurate, timely information
- Multiple languages
- Multiple channels (radio + SMS + posters)
KCCA Example – Done Well:
“Cholera outbreak confirmed in Bwaise. Drink boiled water. Free treatment at Kawempe Health Center. Go immediately if you have watery diarrhea.”
(Clear, actionable, urgent)
KCCA Example – Done Poorly:
“Public health advisory: Gastrointestinal illness reported. Residents advised to take precautions.”
(Vague, jargon, no action)
PAGE 4: LEVEL 2 – CONSULT
GOAL: Obtain community feedback on analyses, alternatives, and decisions.
Community Promise: “We’ll listen to your concerns.”
When to Use:
- Testing messages before launch
- Understanding community concerns
- Gathering community input on strategies
- Understanding barriers
What Communities Can Expect:
- KCCA asks for their input
- KCCA listens to their concerns
- Feedback is considered in decisions
- Community input is valued
How to Do It:
- Focus group discussions
- Surveys (household or market-based)
- Community meetings with Q&A
- VHT feedback sessions
- Social listening (hearing what people are saying)
KCCA Example – Consultation in Action:
DMO: “We’re planning a vaccination campaign. Before we start, we want to understand your concerns. What worries you about vaccination? What would make you more comfortable?”
Community: “We worry about side effects. We need messages in Somali. Vaccinating at church time conflicts with prayers.”
DMO listens, incorporates feedback into strategy.
PAGE 5: LEVEL 3 – INVOLVE
GOAL: Work directly with community throughout process to ensure concerns are consistently understood and considered.
Community Promise: “We’ll work with you.”
When to Use:
- Implementation of activities
- Delivery of interventions
- Building community capacity
- Ongoing problem-solving
What Communities Can Expect:
- KCCA works ALONGSIDE community (not directing)
- Community input shapes how things are done
- Concerns are continually addressed
- Two-way dialogue throughout
How to Do It:
- VHTs deliver health messages (trained and supported)
- Community meetings with active participation
- Community health committees involved in planning
- Co-delivery of interventions
KCCA Example – Involvement in Action:
KCCA doesn’t just give VHTs a message and tell them to deliver it. Instead:
- VHTs are trained on content AND context
- VHTs are asked: “What concerns will community have?”
- Responses shape messaging and approach
- VHTs report back on community questions
- Messages are adapted based on feedback
PAGE 6: LEVEL 4 – COLLABORATE
GOAL: Partner with community in each aspect of decision-making, including developing alternatives.
Community Promise: “We’ll partner with you in decision-making. Your advice directly influences decisions.”
When to Use:
- Designing RCCE strategies (Module 2)
- Solving complex problems
- Planning outbreak response
- Creating sustainable solutions
What Communities Can Expect:
- Community leaders at decision-making table
- Genuine partnership (not just consulting)
- Community ideas incorporated into plan
- Shared responsibility for outcomes
How to Do It:
- Joint planning meetings (KCCA + community leaders)
- Problem-solving workshops
- Co-design sessions
- Community advisory committees
KCCA Example – Collaboration in Action:
Nakawa case study (from Module 4 video):
DMO meets with market chairman AND taxi operator leaders. Says: “How can we work TOGETHER on health emergencies?”
Together, they:
- Identify best communication channels (taxi meetings, market loudspeaker)
- Plan for VHT integration into markets
- Design coordination when crisis hits
- Agree on roles and responsibilities
Result: When outbreak happens, EVERYONE knows what to do. Because they PLANNED it together.
PAGE 7: LEVEL 5 – EMPOWER
GOAL: Community makes decisions and leads action. KCCA provides support.
Community Promise: “You lead. We support.”
When to Use:
- Peer-led education
- Community mobilization
- Sustainable behavior change
- Capacity building
What Communities Can Expect:
- Community controls the approach
- KCCA provides resources/support
- Community makes decisions
- KCCA facilitates, doesn’t direct
How to Do It:
- Train peer educators, then let them lead
- Community committees make decisions
- Peer-to-peer networks
- Community-led responses
KCCA Example – Empowerment in Action:
Instead of KCCA doing handwashing promotion, EMPOWER looks like:
- KCCA trains market vendors (peer educators)
- Vendors decide how to promote handwashing in THEIR market
- Vendors lead other vendors
- KCCA provides materials, data, support
- But vendors lead the change
PAGE 8: CHOOSING THE RIGHT LEVEL
Decision Framework:
Question 1: How much TIME do we have?
- Urgent (hours): INFORM level (broadcast information)
- Short-term (days): CONSULT + INVOLVE levels
- Medium-term (weeks): COLLABORATE level
- Long-term (months): EMPOWER level
Question 2: How COMPLEX is the issue?
- Simple (symptoms, prevention): INFORM level
- Moderate (behavior change): INVOLVE + COLLABORATE
- Complex (social barriers, distrust): COLLABORATE + EMPOWER
Question 3: What’s our RELATIONSHIP with community?
- New relationship: Start at INFORM, build to INVOLVE
- Existing relationship: Can jump to COLLABORATE + EMPOWER
Question 4: What DECISION are we making?
- Information only: INFORM
- Implementation: INVOLVE
- Strategy/planning: COLLABORATE
- Sustainability: EMPOWER
Real KCCA Decision Examples:
| Situation | Best Level | Rationale |
| Cholera outbreak confirmed (urgent alert) | INFORM | No time for consultation; must reach everyone NOW |
| Testing message before campaign launch | CONSULT | Get community input before spending resources |
| VHTs delivering prevention messages | INVOLVE | VHTs work with community alongside KCCA support |
| Planning outbreak response strategy | COLLABORATE | Community leaders should help design approach |
| Sustainability after KCCA leaves | EMPOWER | Community leads own health responses |