Public participation is the engagement of individuals with the various structures and institutions of democracy, including voting, contacting a political representative, campaigning and lobbying, and taking part in consultations and demonstrations.
IAP2’s Public Participation Spectrum
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/thumbnail/c8f257a5-iap2-logo-final_08y03h08x03h000000.gif?itok=5G3QJSAa)
The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)’s Public Participation Spectrum sets out five roles that the public can have in decision making.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/thumbnail/Book4-1.jpg?itok=ope65D3l)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/thumbnail/IAP2_P2_Spectrum_FINAL-1024x791.jpg?itok=Wz-jD7AF)
Reproduced with permission from IAP2.