Step 2: Budgeting & Resourcing

Budgeting, resourcing, capacity and capability building

Projects should have funding in place that enables high quality, high integrity community engagement and covers adequate planning and preparation for, as well as delivery of, community engagement. Funding should include all associated costs and provide flexibility to reflect the complexity of the projects’ scope, ambition and intentions.

Nature projects should support communities in an equitable way. Project staff need to be given adequate time and resource to engage with communities meaningfully. Community volunteers are an invaluable asset to communities but are also vulnerable to being overburdened and exploited. Expert advice and activities provided for from within the community should be fully compensated. The provision of paid jobs within the community may be the most appropriate route to meet project needs and could be an important project co-benefit for the community.

Questions for Projects Leads:

• What skills are required to deliver this community engagement/participatory process?
• Are all these skills currently covered by the staff team?
• Do these skills exist elsewhere in the community?
• Do you have realistic expectations with regards to your budget? E.g. is your budget reasonable for light-touch consultation or full community co-production?
• What resourcing do you need to fulfil your plan, e.g. how many staff do you need, how much time should they commit, what will the cost be?
• What direct costs might you encounter for delivering the engagement process? Direct costs may include venue hire, participant travel, catering, BSL, mechanisms to reduce barriers to participation such as printing costs, mental health support, and a gift of thanks for attending sessions.
• A gift of thanks is typically a monetary voucher or bank transfer to thank participants for giving up their free time. A gift of thanks is typically offered to participants who are attending workshops, participating in an interview or other type of engagement. You may also wish to provide a gift of thanks to any voluntary or community organisation who is providing delivery support.

Resources and case studies:

• Investment Readiness Toolkit, Community Engagement (GFI)
• Participation Handbook (Scottish Government)

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