Improving stakeholder engagement in local strategic planning - experience sharing based on Portuguese examples

This article aims to share a framework composed of key practices put in place to enhance stakeholder engagement in participatory governance processes. The experience was gained through the authors' involvement in three Portuguese practice-based cases on participatory local strategic planning where the framework was successfully applied in overcoming the major risks of these participatory processes identified in the literature. A preliminary evaluation of the applied framework's strengths and weaknesses is provided, envisioned to support similar initiatives. The quality and diversity of the stakeholders involved, together with the group dynamics applied, were recognized as the main strengths, since they promote equal participation, knowledge sharing, new ideas and consensus reaching, with stakeholders being highly committed with the planned objectives and actions. In two cases, the plans supported successful applications to 2014-2020 European Structural Funds' policy instruments, resulting in the allocation of important funds to local entities, vital for territorial development.