• Description

Our nation has a long history of excluding individuals and communities from the policymaking table--because of their race, ethnicity, or immigration status; their age, income, or educational level; or any number of other factors--even though they are often those who are most affected by our policy choices. Nowhere is the exclusion of directly impacted communities more indefensible than in our democracy and policymaking process, the precise forums where decisions are made about how to prioritize, develop, and implement the solutions to our collective problems. For policy leaders who want to develop, influence, enact, and implement public policies to build a more just society, eliminating this systemic exclusion is critical.

This toolkit identifies and shares best practices on how public policy organizations, including government agencies or offices, can engage directly impacted communities and individuals in policy research and policy development with an aim toward true inclusion, collaboration, empowerment, and equity.

Inclusive Policy Research and Policy Development with Impacted Communities: A Toolkit for Think Tanks, Policy Nonprofits, and Governments