Commitment to best practice engagement

We're committed to making engagement meaningful, not just a tick box. That's why we’ve adopted the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) framework to guide our approach from this point forward. Note, the organisation is called the Engagement Institute.

This next phase is a fresh start for Cambridge Connections. There are no predetermined outcomes, no fixed decisions on transport routes or solutions – and we are inviting our community to help us shape the direction of the project.

IAP2 Levels of engagement

Throughout this project, we will engage at different levels depending on the stage and topic. Here's how the IAP2 spectrum will guide our approach:

The engagement level ‘empower’ and will not be part of this project as Council is the statutory decision maker. We are committed to transparency and genuine community influence throughout.

Why IAP2?

The framework is recognised globally as the gold standard for public participation. It ensures people are involved in decisions that affect them and helps build trust and transparency through:

• Clear engagement goals
• Shared understanding of influence
• Inclusive and accessible participation
• Honest communication about how feedback is used

IAP2 Core values - what guides us

We follow the IAP2 Core Values because they help ensure good decisions that reflect the community’s diverse perspectives. These values include:

1. People affected by a decision have the right to be involved.
2. The public’s contribution will influence the decision.
3. All voices are considered, including decision-makers.
4. Engagement should include those most affected or interested.
5. People help shape how they participate.
6. People get the information they need to participate meaningfully.
7. We will always explain how your input affected the outcome.