The Spectrum of Community Engagement

Community engagement is a key focus of Cooperative Extension’s mission to foster collaboration and develop culturally relevant solutions for communities. Drawing upon insights from the VCE situation analysis and the work of Extension Leadership Councils, this session will explore diverse models of community engagement, emphasizing how Extension’s program delivery has evolved from traditional, expert-driven approaches toward more collaborative, transformative practices. Attendees will explore the Engaged Model of Program Delivery, which offers a pathway toward sustainable, contextualized problem-solving. The session will also feature the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation, a model that illustrates the continuum of engagement from informing to empowering the public in decision-making processes. We will highlight how different forms of communication—one-way, two-way, and deliberative—shape the outcomes of community engagement efforts. Additionally, we will consider Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation as a critical framework for understanding the levels of public power in decision-making. This session will provide practical insights and tools for VCE professionals to enhance their community engagement strategies and navigate the spectrum of participation, from service delivery to empowerment.