A participatory assessment, by its very nature, brings together actors who may have very different backgrounds or experiences of the issues being addressed. Each sector, discipline or group formed around a common theme tends to develop its own ‘jargon’ of technical terms and acronyms that can sometimes sound like a foreign language. Similarly, a participatory assessment – as in the case of Blue and Green Infrastructure Networks or Ecosystem Services – may deal with concepts that may be totally unfamiliar to some stakeholders or associated with a previously known framework that will give rise to very different interpretations.

Check regularly to ensure that you are understood, as a sign of mutual respect. Facilitators should invite participants to adapt their language if this is not the case.

For additional information

View or download the complete PDF of all lessons.

Date: 2017-2023

Improving the management of atlantic landscapes: acounting for biodiversity and ecosystem services Interreg Atlantic Area, started in 2017

Coordination by J. Ballé-Béganton and D. Bailly

Photo: © Virtualgadjo / Pixabay