SEA Guidance Annex 1

Tools for Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

Good engagement uses the right tools at the right time. This toolbox compares various tools and methods so you can choose an approach that fits your SEA’s scale and needs.

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What’s Inside This Annex

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Printed Materials

Flyers, brochures, newsletters, and fact sheets that inform the public and invite written comments.

Best for: Wide awareness & early outreach
$ Low cost

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Displays & Exhibits

Interactive boards, posters, maps, or models in public spaces to share information and gather comments.

Best for: Visual communication & high foot-traffic
$ Low cost

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Staffed Displays

Exhibits supported by staff who answer questions and record feedback in real time.

Best for: On-the-spot questions & dialogue
$$ Higher cost

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Information Hotlines

A recorded or staffed telephone line offering consistent information and collecting concerns.

Best for: Continuous access & private feedback
$ Low cost

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Web-Based Consultations

Online platforms that share documents, surveys, and discussion tools for stakeholder input.

Best for: Broad reach & asynchronous engagement
$ Low cost

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Questionnaires & Response Sheets

Structured written questions used to collect consistent information from a broad audience.

Best for: Structured feedback from dispersed audiences
$$ Higher cost

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Surveys

Large-scale structured questionnaires that gather measurable data from representative groups.

Best for: Large-scale, representative data
$$ Higher cost

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Public Hearings

Formal public meetings for presenting proposals and receiving official recorded comments.

Best for: Formal public input & public record
$ Low cost

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Workshops

Small-group sessions designed to explore issues, evaluate options, and build shared solutions.

Best for: Collaborative problem-solving & consensus-building
$ Low cost

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Advisory Committee

A group of experts or stakeholders providing ongoing guidance throughout the decision process.

Best for: Complex or controversial issues needing ongoing guidance
$ Low cost

Real-World Examples

Download the full PDF Annex for lists of advantages, disadvantages, and examples of each method.

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SEA Guidance Annex 1