In an activating opinion survey are asked about their views and attitudes; at the same time they are encouraged to stand up for their interests and to take part in developing solutions for their surroundings.

Suitable

 

• for finding out the interests and needs of people living in a particular area
• for promoting ordinary people’s self-determined political activity

Sequence of events

To get a clearer picture of the area where the survey is to be carried out, a preliminary investigation takes place: key individuals and residents are interviewed, material is evaluated and observations are made.
Residents are informed in writing about the actual survey in advance; trained interviewers use an interview skeleton with open questions to do one-to-one interviews. The aim is to identify the residents’ fears, wishes and worries; at the same time they are asked what solutions occur to them, and how interested they would be in taking part in implementing the ideas in question.
The survey is evaluated and the results presented to the residents, with the aim of defining steps toward realization. Interest or action groups are formed with a view to this.

Participants

Interested citizens

Point to note

 

• In contrast to most conventional surveys, an activating opinion survey is not a one-off event, but the kick-off to a fairly long-term process; so it involves a good deal of organization in advance and subsequent work.