Q.
How do you convert the sceptics?
A.
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The value of participation is not something that can be easily appreciated without experiencing it first. The key to influencing those with concerns or fears is to show through simple practical means that they will find benefit in the process. That is why we suggest beginning with a pilot, often based on participatory grant making, before using mainstream money. You also need to remain open to listening to sceptics as they can provide useful critiques of your plans. Don't become discouraged by those who either feel nothing needs to change, or nothing can change. Keep passionate to your belief that people change when they see practical outcomes from a process and let them know that there is real evidence of the benefits of opening up budgeting processes. Make good use case studies from elsewhere. The videos on our website are particularly powerful tools to explain the early stages of PB processes.


