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What is Community Engagement?

The City of Austin believes community engagement means involving people in decision-making. It values their input in shaping policies and plans that affect us now and in the future.

Why Engagement Matters?

Now, more than ever, community engagement is important for shaping Austin’s future. As more people share their voices online, engagement helps us understand the needs, hopes, and concerns of our community. Your input helps shape City programs and decisions to better reflect what matters to you.

Our Vision

We want to see a community where everyone's voices are heard, respected, and included — and where barriers to participation are removed.

Our Principles

The City of Austin follows these important principles when working with the public:

Accessibility and Inclusion – We offer different ways for people to take part and provide help so that everyone, including underrepresented groups, can join in.
Accountability – We share clear and easy-to-understand information. We also keep records of public feedback that both community members and decision-makers can see.
Collaboration – We work with the community to design activities that match what people need and prefer.
Consistency – We let people know ahead of time about meetings and events. We also clearly explain the goals, timelines, and how community input will be used.
Respect – We create a safe and welcoming space where everyone is treated with respect and can speak honestly.
Stewardship – We use public resources carefully and know that the community should have a voice in how those resources are spent.
Monitoring and Evaluation – We always look for ways to improve. We listen to feedback and try new ideas to make participation better for everyone.

These principles guide our work every day. They show our promise to include the community in meaningful ways that truly make a difference. By working together, we can build a stronger, more connected Austin for all.

We are here for you

More than 400 City of Austin staff members work every day to support public participation. We come from many departments and backgrounds, but we all share the same goal: to make sure your voice is heard.

We’re here to help you connect with your local government and stay informed about decisions that affect your community.

Learn more about who we are and how we support you at austintexas.gov/communications

What we do

We help City departments make community engagement better and more inclusive by:

Designing and sharing surveys to learn what matters to residents.
Facilitating meetings, listening sessions, and workshops—both online and in person.
Creating outreach materials and campaign strategies.
Sharing tips and tools to improve engagement across the City.

Together, we track community priorities and help staff respond with openness and care.

Ways to get involved

There are many ways to share your voice:

Join a Board or Commission – Help guide City decisions by joining an advisory group, learn more at our Boards and Commissions Page
Call Austin 3-1-1 – Report a problem or request City services—anytime, day or night. Dial 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 or use the Austin 3-1-1 service page
Visit iSpeak Austin – Find language translation and interpretation help in the iSpeak Austin homepage
Join Austin CityWorks Academy – Learn how the City works and connect with staff through weekly classes. Apply using the CityWorks Academy page
Volunteer with the City – Find opportunities that match your interests at the COA volunteer opportunities page

We’re here to help you engage with your city. Whether it's a neighborhood project or a citywide plan, your voice matters — and we’re listening.

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