Step 2. Identify stakeholders
Involve stakeholders
Identify the stakeholders, involve them and find out where they stand in relation to the issue.
Successful community education projects acknowledge and involve the groups or individuals who have a stake in the issue. Stakeholders can be defined as those who are interested in, concerned about, affected by, have a vested interest in, or are involved in some way with, the issue. Because of their involvement and ownership of the issue many stakeholders will have knowledge, networks and resources which can add significant value to your project.
How?
- Identify the 'key players' or main stakeholders and invite them to be part of the project.
- Find out where each stakeholder stands in relation to the issue and review Step 1 in light of this information.
- Make stakeholders your allies. Try and set up your project in partnership with key stakeholders. (If you can't set up your project in partnership with other stakeholders, at least set up a process that will ensure stakeholders are kept informed and given the opportunity to comment.)
Tips
- Stakeholders may include community groups, industry or business associations, environment groups, local councils, government departments, schools, tertiary education institutions, youth/senior citizens'groups, politicians, local residents.
- Ensure at least one stakeholder is from your target group (see step 3).
Try to identify and enlist the assistance of a community 'opinion leader' for your stakeholder network. - Work out each stakeholder's main concerns about the issue; acknowledge their differences, then concentrate on identifying the common ground and benefits for each.
- You can involve stakeholders through working groups, surveys, newsletters, as members of a steering or advisory committee and through personal meetings
Questions you can ask
- Who has a stake (positive or negative) in the problem or issue?
- Who is most affected by the problem or issue? Who is concerned? Who may have different views?
- In relation to the problem, who are the opinion leaders in the community?
- Who are the key people to assist in solving the problem?
- Is there a person who could 'champion' the project for us?
- What do the stakeholders know, feel, want, believe and value in relation to the problem or issue?
- What are the threats, risks, costs and benefits for the stakeholders?
- How will we involve the stakeholders?
Case Study: Shoalhaven Business
Who the stakeholders were
Stakeholders included:
- owners and operators in local industries and businesses
- local council
- local Chamber of Manufacturers
- local Catchment Management Committee
- industry associations
- the Environment Protection Authority (EPA); the Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC)
- local Chamber of Commerce
- local media.
What stakeholders' interests and views were
Stakeholders were:
- concerned not to 'paint industries in a bad light'
- concerned not to discourage further business and industry from setting up in the area
- of the view that 'business development' and 'environment' had little common ground.
Page last updated: 22 February 2008