Start by identifying your stakeholders involved within your project. Who affects and/or could be affected by the project? This identification can be done with, inter alia the factor C method (go to dutch website). Below you find methodes for getting in touch with local stakeholders.

In your first contact with stakeholders it is crucial to listen first to their ideas and concerns and to give this attention. Stakeholders have sometimes very different backgrounds, needs, expectations, influence and control with the actor within the process. Listening will give you information about your stakeholders and their capacity and willingness to cooperate. Informing about the program requirements is crucial to establish a collective starting point.

After listening and informing and creating more understanding among the stakeholders, it is wise to look for the most suitable ways of working together. A good collaboration helps to remove barriers, creates support and gives a common dot on the horizon.

Some example barriers for a good collaboration are:

• Lack of information (what is climate change?)
• Lack of financial support (no budget for the (perceived) additional costs)
• Lack of trust (problems with government in the past)
• Lack of shared reframing (no perceived benefits)
• Lack of commitment

After identifying the interests “what’s in it for me” of the stakeholders you have to develop a strategy and/or a spatial design to integrate your goals for the plan (e.q. make a water resilient neighbourhood) with the interests of stakeholders (e.q. the residents need more parking places).

It is important to pay attention to an agreement with the common goals. This leads to commitment. An agreement can be a letter of intent or a binding agreement. It is also important to celebrate the milestones such a signing the agreement and to address it in a broader context.