Introducing the Maturity Model for Public Participation: A New Framework for Government Engagement

Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue is launching the Maturity Model for Public Participation, a tool designed to define, measure, and strengthen high-quality public engagement across government institutions. Developed in collaboration with Canada’s Open Government Team, leading experts, and international reviewers, the model provides a framework to assess organizational capacity, apply inclusive participation principles, and improve engagement outcomes. The launch webinar on September 15th at 10 a.m. PST features Nicole Armos, lead author, along with Aftab Erfan, Tim Hughes, and Charles Taillefer, where attendees will explore the model’s principles, learn how to evaluate and adapt engagement initiatives, and access opportunities to pilot the beta release. This open-source tool aligns with NCDD’s mission to foster equitable, collaborative, and effective public participation, supporting stronger democratic practices.

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​Around the world, governments and organizations are increasingly recognizing that meaningful public participation is essential for evidence-based, sustainable, and inclusive decision-making. Yet, the integration of public participation remains inconsistent, and poorly executed engagement processes can undermine public trust or produce misleading results. To address this challenge, Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue is launching the Maturity Model for Public Participation, a developmental tool designed to define, measure, and strengthen high-quality public engagement across government institutions.

Advancing High-Quality Participation

The Maturity Model was developed over 18 months through collaboration with Canada’s Open Government Team, leading Canadian experts, and international reviewers. It provides a clear framework for understanding what high-quality participation looks like in practice, building upon established principles of inclusive and meaningful engagement. The tool helps organizations assess their current capacities, identify areas for growth, and implement strategies that genuinely reflect the public interest.
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By establishing shared language and standards, the Maturity Model ensures that investments in engagement are both effective and equitable, supporting governments in building the organizational capacity needed to deliver meaningful public participation initiatives.

A Collaborative, Community-Oriented Approach

The development of the Maturity Model reflects NCDD’s values of collaboration, equity, and inclusion. By bringing together diverse perspectives from government, academia, and public participation practitioners, the Centre for Dialogue demonstrates how structured collaboration strengthens civic engagement and builds democratic capacity. The tool is open-source and adaptable, allowing organizations to tailor it to their unique contexts while fostering ongoing learning and improvement.

Launch Webinar Details
The Maturity Model will be introduced in a launch webinar on September 15th at 10 a.m. PST, featuring:

• Nicole Armos, Lead Author of the Public Participation Maturity Model
• Aftab Erfan, Executive Director, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University
• Tim Hughes, Lead, Democracy & Participation, Open Government Partnership
• Charles Taillefer, Executive Director, Access to Information Policy and Performance Division, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
  
  

During the webinar, attendees will:

• Explore why public participation is a cornerstone of Canadian democracy
• Learn the five core principles of high-quality public engagement
• Understand how to use the Maturity Model to evaluate initiatives and assess organizational capacity
• Discover ways to adapt the tool to specific contexts
• Access opportunities to pilot the beta release and provide feedback for future versions
  
  

Registrants will receive a recording of the webinar and a digital copy of the Maturity Model.

Experience how this innovative tool can enhance your organization’s public engagement practices and support stronger, more inclusive democratic processes. Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-webinar-a-maturity-model-for-public-participation-tickets-1567675663109