CivicPlus: “Resident engagement today looks very different than it did even a few years ago. Expectations are higher, attention is harder to earn, and residents want to interact with local government in ways that fit their daily lives, not just during meetings or election cycles.
Across the country, local governments are responding by rethinking how they communicate, listen, and involve residents. Some initiatives are digital. Others are in-person. Many blend the two. What they have in common is a focus on meeting residents where they are and making civic participation easier, more relevant, and more meaningful.
The 12 examples below highlight how local governments are putting those ideas into practice right now, from small, low-lift programs to larger, more visible initiatives that help strengthen resident engagement over time.
1. Visual Storytelling on Pinterest, Banff, AB
The Town of Banff uses Pinterest to visually showcase its community through curated boards featuring landscapes, seasonal moments, and local experiences.
Pinterest allows the town to share high-quality imagery while linking pins back to related content, making it easier for audiences to explore Banff beyond a single post. Unlike fast-scroll social platforms, Pinterest supports long-term content discovery. Pins remain searchable and shareable over time, helping Banff extend the reach of its visual content to residents, visitors, and people planning future travel.
Why it works: Pinterest gives communities a way to tell their story, promote local experiences, and reinforce civic pride, all while directing audiences to deeper information through linked content…
8. Citizens Academy Program, Rockingham County, NC
Rockingham County, North Carolina, offers a program that gives residents an inside look at how the county government operates, from budget and policies to procedures and day-to-day operations.
The free, eight-week program is designed to help participants better understand county services, departments, and decision-making processes through guided sessions and direct interaction with county staff. Participants leave with a clearer understanding of local government responsibilities and opportunities to stay involved beyond the program itself.
Why it works: Educational programs like a citizens academy help residents better understand how local government works, which helps foster stronger community engagement and potentially develop future local leaders…(More)”.
