Too often, community engagement is treated as a process: a series of meetings to check off before a decision is made. But real engagement is not a process. It is a relationship. And like any relationship, it requires trust, consistency, and a willingness to show up before you need something.

The ROOTED Framework™ was developed by Community Planning Collaborative to help planners, agencies, and organizations assess whether they have done the foundational relationship work BEFORE engaging communities, not after.

Using this assessment, your team will evaluate six dimensions of engagement readiness (ROOTED): Research, Ownership of history, Organizing for relationship, Transfer of power, Equitable exchange, and Delivering accountability. Each dimension is scored individually, giving you a clear picture of where you are strong and where you have work to do.

Use it before your next project, planning process, or public engagement activity, and use it honestly.

↓ Complete the assessment below ↓

What Your Score Tells You

A higher score reflects an organization that has done meaningful groundwork: building relationships, understanding history, and creating conditions for genuine participation. A lower score is not a failure. It is a starting point.

Wherever you land, the most important question is not your number. It is what you do next.

Take the Next Step

Community Planning Collaborative works with government agencies, nonprofits, organizations, and businesses to build the capacity for authentic, equitable community engagement. Whether you are preparing for a major planning process or looking to strengthen your ongoing practice, we are here to help.