When it comes to inclusion, participation covers the issues of active citizenship, nature of authority and public confidence in state institutions, the role of individuals or groups in public life, and power relations. It also comprises, but is in no way reduced to, the process of voting.

If understood in such a way, participation is not a mere formality. It is a right that deserves to be pursued on its own. It is also becomes instrumental in boosting social acceptability, effectiveness, equity and legitimacy of policies and their outcomes. This last points is of particular relevance in the case of emerging and forming agendas – such as inclusive development or climate change adaptation – as this work is often not only of a technical nature but goes hand-in-hand with concerns of public acceptance and/or uptake of the new measures.  

Two inclusive policy markers are derived to support work in this regard. 

Participation may not be enough, if run in a purely tokenistic manner. From the very outset, inclusive interventions are mindful of possible limitations of participatory techniques and strive to level the field amongst unequal, in this given set-up, participants. Two key points elaborate on why and how this can be done.