Experience since the start of DC has shown that lack of participation, whether in practical work or as a goal in its own right, is a principal cause of projects failing. DC without participation is futile – and not really possible. For instance, a World Bank study comparing more than 100 projects to supply drinking water in Asia, Africa and Latin America revealed that the most successful projects were those in which the stakeholders were actively involved in planning and implementation and were in a position to identify with the goals envisaged. Participation thus counts as an essential prerequisite for the success and sustainability of DC.

In participatory DC there are synergies between three dimensions:

• In DC, participation in processes means involving the stakeholders in all phases of the project, from planning via implementation right through to evaluation. Here the focus is on continual dialogue between all the agents involved.
• Democratic (civic) participation means enabling and encouraging disadvantaged segments of the population to play a meaningful part in political decision-making (empowerment), e.g. by way of access to and an exchange of knowledge, or establishing networks.
• Systemic or institutionalized participation is concerned with establishing a framework of rules, statutes, standards etc., so that political participation can be ensured long-term.

These three dimensions reflect the processes important in DC. The ideal approach combines all three dimensions; depending on the project in question, this is not always feasible or sensible.

Participatory instruments and methods are on hand to aid in realizing the three dimensions.