Participation Process - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Barrier 4: Participation Process & Meeting Design

Barrier Statement

Exclusionary participation processes and meetings erode trust and limit communities’ influence on decisions.

Filterable Database

How communities are experiencing this barrier

View the details on what communities have shared with SLECC from across the state.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Inconsistent engagement practices reduce ability to authentically include vulnerable groups.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Lack of follow-through: Example: over 100 CBOs were funded to gather input, but because funds were reallocated, their staff couldn’t stay involved in feedback loops. As a result, communities’ priorities never made it into the final strategies

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Fatigue and overburdening: Because agencies repeatedly approach the same small set of trusted CBOs, those groups and leaders experience burnout, limiting the diversity of voices engaged

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Poorly timed meetings: Outreach is frequently held at inaccessible times, like 10am on weekdays, ensuring working people cannot attend. Even when rescheduled, agencies sometimes omit key information, further eroding trust

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

One-way engagement: Agencies often want participation that is limited to listening, not co-creating (“they want to make decisions and assign roles”). Feedback loops are rarely sustained, so input doesn’t shape final outcomes

Local Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

Local Solution

Conduct community workshops in multiple languages (Spanish, Khmer, etc.).

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Local Solution

Adopt regional anchor organizations that hold continuity and relationships across grant cycles

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Local Solution

Create regional collaboration mechanisms (shared grant applications, pooled resources, joint housing/energy trust models)

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

State Solution

Institutionalize incentive-linked education models

Existing Examples of Progress:

Carrots tied to awareness/education: Some engagement linked short awareness sessions to access to under-publicized state benefits (e.g., family services, rebates). Attendance at education sessions became a gateway to tangible benefits, boosting turnout to 900+ participants

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Expand the definition of engagement to include renters, property owners, and frontline workers.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Ask communities what they want rather than relying solely on state metrics.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Solution Spotlight

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Additional Resources

Please share any additional resources you would like to include by emailing eecoordinator@civicwell.org.