From concept to analysis: An analytical framework for community engagement

Community engagement (CE) has become an increasingly established approach for promoting social participation and the democratization of public decision-making. Although historically associated with social management, CE has evolved into a cross-cutting strategy, extending its principles to fields such as health and education. Despite its growing diffusion, challenges remain regarding its analysis and qualitative evaluation. This article proposes an analytical model of CE developed through an extensive review of academic literature and an analysis of practical guidelines produced by humanitarian organizations. The model structures CE in a layered framework encompassing structural foundations, engagement processes, and social dynamics and interaction, culminating in outcomes and transformations, with equity as a transversal category throughout the process. The proposed model integrates theoretical and practical perspectives, offering analytical and operational insights for researchers, public managers, and civil society organizations.

Keywords:
community engagement; participation; social management; analytical framework; qualitative assessment.