Facilitating Groups

An Introduction to Facilitation

Hands-on workshop for public participation professionals

About This Course

Effective facilitation is essential for meaningful engagement. This course Facilitating Groups – An Introduction to Facilitation equips professionals with the tools, mindset, and confidence to lead dynamic, inclusive, and productive engagement sessions. Designed for real-world application, this course helps you move from managing a meeting to inspiring dialogue.

Key Benefits

Learn a structured facilitation model: Purpose, People, Process (the 3 Ps)
Practice facilitation techniques with real-world relevance
Build confidence to manage group dynamics and tough scenarios
Deepen understanding of inclusive and ethical engagement
Expand your toolkit with planning templates, energizers, and group exercises
Be better equipped to lead meaningful dialogue, not just meetings

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Why Take This Course

Facilitating Groups goes beyond theory. It’s a practical, interactive learning experience designed to enhance your real-world engagement work. Whether you're convening stakeholders, facilitating community dialogue, or leading internal sessions, this course helps you foster collaboration, understanding, and action.

Internationally Vetted Methods

Ground your work in IAP2’s Core Values & Spectrum of Public Participation

Practical, Hands-On Learning

Apply concepts immediately through group workshops and receive real-time feedback

Peer Community

Share challenges and best practices with a network of fellow engagement professionals

Instant ROI

Leave with templates, checklists, and facilitation guides you can deploy the very next day

Who Is This Course For

Engagement Professionals

Team Leads

Facilitators and Trainers

Community Organizers

Anyone Responsible for Leading Group Discussions

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Clarify and communicate the purpose of an engagement session
Identify the right people to involve—and how to support their participation
Design effective, inclusive processes tailored to the engagement context
Facilitate conversations that surface diverse views and build shared understanding
Manage challenging personalities, group dynamics, and logistical hiccups with skill
Align facilitation practice with IAP2’s Core Values and Ethics

Still not convinced? Read why strong facilitation skills matter more than ever.