Participatory practice

Participation is talked about a lot in funding and community spaces — but it can mean very different things in practice. From one-off consultations to deep, power-sharing approaches that reshape how decisions are made, participation sits on a wide spectrum.

This guide focuses on the deeper end of that spectrum. It explores how funders and organisations can embed participatory practice into their culture, governance, and programme design — not as an add-on, but as a core way of working.

Drawing on over ten years of experience alongside grassroots groups and national funders, the ten chapters bring together what we’ve learned so far. The guide reflects work across community organising, participatory governance, and place-based change.

It isn’t a fixed blueprint. Participation looks different in different contexts, and there’s no one-size-fits-all model. Instead, each chapter is designed to prompt reflection, discussion, and learning.

We hope this becomes a living resource — shaped by practice, feedback, and dialogue. Download it, share it, challenge it, and help us grow it.