Today, local governments have unprecedented opportunities to use digital tools to build stronger connections with residents, streamline service delivery, and foster a more engaged community. Here are five examples of civic engagement initiatives and actionable steps to help your team implement them.

1. Virtual Town Halls

Virtual town halls have emerged as a popular way for government leaders to communicate with residents, answer questions, and provide updates on community projects. Hosting a virtual town hall removes the geographic and time constraints that often limit in-person attendance, allowing more residents to participate from the comfort of their own homes.

Implementation Steps:

• Choose a reliable, user-friendly platform for live streaming, such as Zoom, Webex, or even social media platforms like Facebook Live.
• Schedule virtual town halls at convenient times for residents, considering evenings or weekends for maximum attendance.
• Promote the event through multiple channels, including social media, email newsletters, and text notifications.
• After the event, share a recording and a summary of key points on your government website and social media channels.

2. Resident Feedback Apps

Feedback apps allow residents to report issues like potholes, graffiti, or broken streetlights directly to the relevant departments. By giving residents an easy-to-use platform for providing feedback, governments can better prioritize services and address community needs in real-time.

Implementation Steps:

• Partner with a developer like SDL to create a customized app that enables residents to report issues, upload photos, and track the status of their reports.
• Train staff to manage incoming reports and establish a workflow for timely responses and updates.
• Promote the app through social media, community newsletters, and posters in public spaces.

3. Online Community Surveys

Online surveys are an effective, low-cost way to gather resident opinions on policy decisions, budget allocations, or upcoming projects. They help local governments gauge community sentiment and make data-driven decisions that reflect the needs and preferences of residents.

Implementation Steps:

• Use a platform like SDL with an interactive form builder specifically designed to help with civic engagement by catering to local government’s needs.
• Clearly define the goals of each survey and craft questions that are relevant, easy to understand, and designed to elicit actionable insights.
• Share survey forms through email campaigns, social media, and your website to maximize reach.
• After collecting responses, publish the results and a summary of planned actions based on the findings, which builds transparency and trust with the community.

4. Digital Community Calendars

Digital community calendars allow residents to stay informed about local events, public meetings, and recreational activities. By having a centralized digital calendar, governments can increase event attendance and foster a greater sense of community involvement.

Implementation Steps:

• Set up a digital calendar on your government’s website that is easy to access and navigate. 
• Encourage all departments to contribute events to the calendar and to keep information up to date.
• Integrate the calendar with social media channels to automatically share events and reminders.
• Offer email subscriptions for residents who want regular updates on upcoming events, which can increase engagement and attendance.

5. Resident Engagement Portals

Comprehensive resident engagement portals provide a one-stop shop where residents can access government services, submit feedback, and stay informed on key community events. Portals are highly customizable, allowing governments to include tools like forms, resident request management, and service request systems.

Implementation Steps:

• Choose an engagement portal solution that integrates well with existing government software and provides a seamless user experience.
• Populate the portal with essential services, such as permit applications, service requests, and public records requests, as well as options for residents to submit feedback on specific issues.
• Roll out the portal with a marketing campaign, educating residents on how to use it and what services are available.
• Regularly review portal analytics to see what services are being used most and solicit feedback from residents to ensure the portal remains relevant and effective.

Ready to Elevate Your Community Engagement?

If you’re looking to bring these initiatives to your community or need help setting up a digital engagement strategy, our experts at SDL are here to help. Schedule a free consultation with one of our team members today and discover how our tailored solutions can help you build a more engaged, informed, and empowered community.