icon

Official website of the U.S. government

Skip to main content
Groups of people smiling and participating in an event

Calling All Americans!

The Federal Government is committed to making it easier for the public to share their knowledge, needs, and lived experiences to improve how Government works for them and with them.

Share your ideas by November 29th to help us build a more responsive, effective, and inclusive Government.

Wanted

Your take on the possibilities

It’s time to remember that “We the People” are the government — you and I. Not some force in a distant capital. Not some powerful force that we have no control over. It’s us. It’s “We the People.”

— PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

Every day, Federal agencies work on policies and programs that touch millions of lives. A critical part of designing Federal policies and programs that work is hearing from the individuals and communities who will be affected by them. Agencies do this through activities like listening sessions, notice and comment processes, user research, and surveys.

Based on robust feedback from the public, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is excited to share draft guidance for Federal agencies on broadening public participation and community engagement. OMB is also releasing the draft outline of a toolkit to help agencies plan and conduct meaningful public engagement.

Government works best when it’s built by and with the people. We want your input by November 29 to make sure these documents will help agencies engage the American people in ways that better meet community and agency needs, interests, and priorities. Your feedback will shape the final guidance and toolkit.

Read the blog post, “Broadening Public Participation and Community Engagement with the Federal Government,” by Loren Schulman, Associate Director for Performance Management, OMB.

Hearing from the public

Earlier this year, the Federal Government sought feedback from the public through written comments and listening sessions. Hundreds of participants from across sectors provided thoughtful input—all of which informed the draft guidance, draft toolkit outline, and this current phase of engagement. OMB asked about:

Experiences

The EXPERIENCES of individuals and organizations with participation in engagement activities conducted by Federal agencies to inform government decision-making (such as notice and comment processes, listening sessions, surveys, and user research).

Content

The kind of CONTENT to include in a Federal framework to help agencies broaden their participation and engagement activities.

Process

How OMB might continue a collaborative PROCESS to develop this framework with the public.

The Promise

Federal guidance for participation and engagement will help agencies:

  • Broaden the kinds of people and groups reached
  • Expand the government's use of common definitions, guiding principles, and leading practices for public engagement
  • Improve and embed public participation and community engagement across agency functions and activities
  • Prepare for, design, implement, and assess the impact of meaningful participation and engagement
  • Identify when and how to effectively involve the public in decision-making processes
  • Build on successes and model new efforts for participation and engagement

Evaluating public participation and community engagement

How can agencies evaluate what participation and engagement approaches are effective at increasing reach, improving inclusivity, and promoting public trust in decision-making? OMB’s Public Participation and Evidence Challenge sought a toolkit with methods and metrics to help government do just that.

Respond

Make Your Voice Heard!

OMB wants your feedback on:

  1. Draft guidance for Federal agencies and teams that provides common definitions and guiding principles for participation and engagement, a sample framework to help decide when and how to involve the public, and steps to help broaden public engagement.
  2. A draft outline for a toolkit to help agencies plan, implement, and assess the impact of meaningful participation and engagement.

Provide written feedback

Complete a simple form

ENDS NOV 29, 2024

Provide input on either or both draft documents through simple online forms. Consider your overall thoughts and reactions, the clarity of the text, and any suggestions for improvement. (All responses are voluntary and respondents do not have to answer every question.)

Provide verbal feedback

Attend a listening session

VARIOUS DATES

In addition to, or instead of, submitting written feedback, consider attending a virtual event hosted by the Federal Government to learn more and provide live input on the draft documents.

  • Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 3:00-4:30 pm ET: Register here.
    (ASL interpretation, live captioning, and live audio translation in Spanish and Mandarin will be available.)
  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 2:30-4:00 pm ET: Register here.
    (ASL interpretation, live captioning, and live audio translation in Spanish and Mandarin will be available.)
Right arrow