Community-Driven Stakeholder Engagement Strategies in Public Health Projects

Abstract

Community-driven stakeholder engagement is vital for the success and sustainability of public health initiatives, yet its implementation is often hindered by significant challenges. This qualitative study explored the strategies, barriers, and lessons learned in stakeholder engagement within public health projects. Guided by Project Stakeholder Management from the PMBOK Guide and the Social-Ecological Model (SEM), this research conducted a thematic analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eleven public health professionals. The findings reveal that effective engagement strategies include early and continuous involvement, co-creation of solutions, and building on existing community trust. Key challenges identified were overcoming deep-seated community mistrust, navigating complex power dynamics, and managing resource constraints and stakeholder burnout. The study concluded that successful community-driven engagement requires flexibility, transparent communication, valuing lived experience as a form of expertise, and cultivating a shared vision. These findings provide evidence-based recommendations for public health practitioners and policymakers to enhance stakeholder collaboration, thereby driving positive social change and improving health outcomes