What is it?

• A small group of people focusing on and discussing one specific topic.

When to use it?

• At the beginning of the process of community engagement: to gain background information and opinions on a particular issue.
• During the process of community engagement: to explore in depth issues that have been raised during the project.
• At the end of the process of community engagement: to evaluate the project.

Number of people

• 6 to 8 people, preferably homogeneous groups (e.g.: women in the same age group, men from the same social background).

Time

• 1 to 2.5 hours. After that, people can get tired and lose focus.

Benefits

• It is participatory and empowering.
• People can dynamically exchange and confront their ideas. New positions can come up.
• Shy people can feel more comfortable expressing their views in smaller groups, provided groups are as homogeneous as possible, depending on the local context.

Limitations

• Can be dominated by some people.
• Shy people might still be uncomfortable expressing their thoughts. Some people might not express their deep feelings even in a small group.
• Outcomes might not be applicable to the wider community.
• Focus groups can create an artificial environment that can influence responses.
• The outputs rely mainly on the skills of the facilitator to make people at ease and willing to express themselves.