Abstract:

Community participation is conceived as a complex, dynamic, and multidimensional process that promotes citizen empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable development. We present the findings of an extensive study aimed at examining the conceptions and practices of community participation among the team of professionals working in the Marianao neighbourhood of Barcelona. These are professionals specialized in community and social issues, who develop specific social actions and who implement the project Marianao Té Cor (Marianao, Community-Responsible Territory). This is a local neighbourhood initiative that seeks to improve the quality of life and well-being of its residents through community participation.

The study follows the principles of action research, as its main purpose is to foster collective reflection and debate on the meanings, limits, and potential of participation within community contexts. This methodology allows us to integrate professional practice with theoretical reflection, thereby promoting the collective construction of knowledge. The process included participant observation, thematic analysis, and collaborative work between community-sector professionals and institutional stakeholders.

The results reveal a plurality of forms of participation, while at the same time showing a limited conception of community. Likewise, the relevance of key actors as mediators between institutions and citizens becomes evident. Despite this, there is no unified understanding of community participation, which hinders the effective integration of the various social actors. It also became apparent that certain intervention methodologies may, paradoxically, obstruct the effective inclusion of the community in decision-making. Based on these findings, participatory diagnosis and circular or spherical participation are proposed as innovative working strategies, both aimed at promoting a more inclusive, flexible, and horizontal model. Participatory diagnosis is conceived as a tool to actively involve the community in all phases of planning and evaluation processes, while circular participation places citizens at the centre, enabling fluid and bidirectional interaction in the management of community projects.

The implications of these proposals are significant: they strengthen the diversity of voices in decision-making processes, foster shared responsibility in resource management, and promote territorial sustainability from a democratic perspective. The critical reflection generated highlights the need to rethink traditional participation models, moving towards more horizontal structures that recognise the transformative capacity of local communities.

Keywords:

Citizen Participation, Community Participation, Community Action, Action Research.