Written by Eleanor Howe, Senior Manager
Are people really “hard to reach” or are we just not resourced to reach them? Are we just too stretched, on time, budget, and tools, to meet people where they are?
I’ve been thinking about how often this label is used to explain low participation or minimal feedback. Yet the more I reflect, the more I think it’s not about people being disengaged. It’s about systems that don’t support real, meaningful engagement.
Tight budgets mean we can’t always go beyond the basics, there’s no time for tailored comms, translated materials, or extra sessions at local places where people gather. Limited timeframes mean we’re often working in short engagement windows.
Meanwhile, the ‘hard to reach’ people we’re trying to engage? They’re busy too, working, caring for family, or just not sure how their voice fits into local decision-making.
So maybe it’s time we shift the language.
Instead of asking “Why is this group hard to reach?”, maybe we ask:
> What support would help us reach them better?
> What assumptions are we making about how people want to engage?
> What could we do if we had just a bit more time, money, or help?
If you want help to design creative, inclusive engagement that does more with less, get in touch. I help organisations design engagement approaches that match the needs of your project, organisation and communities, even when resources are tight.
