Abstract

RIVM aims to contribute to a healthy population in a healthy environment through independent scientific research. The results of this research provide advice and support to professionals and government bodies. It is therefore important that RIVM research and advice addresses issues of actual societal concern. The result should also include relevant societal perspectives and being applicable to practice. To achieve this goal, citizens and stakeholders are purposefully involved in research studies. This provides insights into matters such as interests, convictions, and uncertainties, which in turn provides a more complete picture of the issue at hand or of the consequences of research results.

RIVM utilises specific methods for realising this so-called stakeholder participation. In order to assist this process, it has compiled the Stakeholder Participation Guidelines as a tool for organising stakeholder participation. This takes place by taking into account the following five questions: Why do you want stakeholder participation? What is it about? Which stakeholders do you want to participate? How much participation do you want? What form should you choose? Forms of participation range from interviewing people and organising focus groups to developing a product together with stakeholders.