Strategy for the creation of community participatory processes in the Basque Country

To build a stronger public health system, the Basque Government wishes to support municipalities to create networks that encompass health and social services and citizens. These ‘Community networks’ will help implement community participatory processes involving local communities in local initiatives to improve their health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. 

Context 

The 2023-2030 Health Plan approved by the Basque Government includes a specific objective aiming at creating healthy environments and reduce health inequalities. With this project, the Department of Health aims to support local communities to strengthen participatory processes with local administrations, citizens, technical professionals and any other party working in the field of community health and well-being.  Based on lessons learned from national and international good practices, the project will support the development of a strategy and action plan for the promotion of health and wellbeing at local level through enhanced community engagement, complemented by a methodological framework for monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building activities.

Support to be delivered 

Throughout the project, OECD will strengthen the Basque Health Department’s capacity, organization and working procedures to promote community engagement and inter-sectorial collaboration at the local level. It will also support the creation of a structure that will connect different community participatory processes and agents to share lessons about their experiences. Finally, it will develop tools, methodologies, instruments and knowledge to design, develop, maintain and evaluate the processes and results of community participatory processes.

Expected results 

The Basque Country is enabled to effectively promote community participatory processes (community engagement) at local level, to improve the health and wellbeing of the community by tackling the social determinants of health and health inequalities, in order to comply with the objectives of the 2023-2030 Health Plan.