"Facilitation is about creating the conditions for people to do their best thinking — together."
– Sam Kaner, Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Makin

Facilitation with marginalised communities is a collaborative process that emphasises co-creation and co-design, ensuring that solutions are developed with the community rather than for them. This approach fosters an inclusive space where participants feel safe to share their lived experiences, while facilitators guide the process, encouraging equal participation. By leveraging co-creation, facilitators empower community members to actively shape the solutions that affect their lives, ensuring the outcomes are meaningful, relevant, and reflective of their needs. Co-design further ensures that solutions are not only community-driven but sustainable, as they are created through shared ownership and engagement.

Facilitation Skills

Foster Positive Energy and Affirming Behaviors: Create a supportive atmosphere that promotes optimism and validates each participant’s contributions, helping them feel confident and valued in the process.
Leverage Emotional Intelligence: Use emotional awareness to connect with participants, recognising their feelings and needs while responding with empathy to build trust and rapport.
Ethical Considerations: Obtain informed consent where appropriate by clearly explaining the purpose of the process, how their input will be used, and ensuring they have the freedom to opt out at any time.
Create Psychological Safety: Encourage open dialogue and risk-taking without fear of criticism, allowing participants to share ideas and perspectives freely, knowing their input is respected.
Empower Participants: Ensure that participants have an active role in decision-making and that their insights shape solutions that are meaningful and relevant to their communities.