As we enter each new phase of the unlocking of society in the wake of the Coronavirus emergency, we are moving ever closer to tackling the recovery phase. I talked of the need for a Route Map for Community Participation in the Recovery Phase (and beyond) in my previous blog post and I am exploring what the key elements of this might look like, if we are to harness the enthusiasm and recognition felt for the Third Sector at this time.
The consequences of the financial costs of the pandemic are going to impact all three sectors hard over the coming months, if not for years. This is the time to consider different approaches including those approaches which support and enable high quality collaboration between communities, the Third and Public Sectors to improve the design and delivery of public services to maximise the impact of public investment.
When faced with the inevitable deficits in budgets, it is easy to see the difficult decisions coming with cuts and disposals of assets to close the financial hole. It is hoped that there will be consideration given to how by working in collaboration with different sectors could stem some of the bleeding. We have witnessed the resilience and lead taken by many of our communities to address the needs of people affected by self-isolation, financial hardship, food poverty, mental health and wellbeing etc and this has reduced the immediate damage from COVID19. This citizenship has the potential to find innovative and creative solutions in recovery and to continue to build community capacity which will help our places thrive once again. We are already seeing legacies of desires and willingness to continue community initiatives, such as community larders, where the crisis has brought communities together and have perhaps reached those who were in need prior to the pandemic. It is important that we foster this mood and return to a “new normal” which embraces and nurtures this social conscience.
So perhaps Step One for our Route Map is Effective and Inclusive Community Engagement. Public Bodies perhaps need to avoid the “D.A.D.” approach which is to Decide Announce Defend and enter into meaningful dialogue with communities and the Third Sector. There is a need to move beyond simply gathering views and instead build through dialogue and deliberation to fully codesign responses.
If we were better positioned in progressing the idea of mainstreaming Participatory Budgeting, we could respond to emerging opportunities that lie ahead to build community resilience through PB. Can PB be relevant at this time?
During this pandemic, we have seen the government distributing millions of pounds in relief efforts. Although it is fair to say that the approach taken with some of the government funding appointing Anchor Third Sector Organisations has done much to ensure the funds have reached grass roots organisations and this has proven a great demonstration of the value placed on the work of these communities. We now need to strengthen democracy, to ensure future funding is allocated equitably and democratically, and to guarantee local communities, especially our most marginalised and vulnerable populations, have a say in these decisions that will greatly affect them. On a personal level, at times during this crisis, many of us will have felt isolated and helpless; people need a way to feel connection and a sense of control. Participatory budgeting offers both.
We still have work to do regarding PB but there is still scope to bring our communities into the conversation. Communities need to know their voices will be included in the approach for recovery. This has to be significant and open to divergent views. After all we are and will be in unprecedented times and perhaps extraordinary approaches and solutions will see us through.