At LETS, we believe that public projects work best when they channel the creativity and wisdom of the community.
We partner with public-serving organizations – whether government, nonprofit, or otherwise – to enhance their community engagement strategies and create more livable, more equitable cities. Through our work, we aim to build a belief that everyday people have a meaningful role to play in improving their cities.
While we do consult with other organizations, we aim to have a consistent presence in our community through independent projects, programs, and collaborations.
A Community-Centered Approach
Participatory approaches to public policy are proven to be highly effective and critical to a community’s wellbeing. At LETS, we aim to shift the power dynamic of traditional community development and promote meaningful participation and a sense of collective ownership.
Shifting Power
We operate with and through existing social & cultural institutions already within the communities we engage, communities which ultimately own the process and outcomes of our work.
Collaborative Innovation
At LETS, we aim to shift this power dynamic through collaborative and creative processes. By including people those who haven’t been heard in traditional policy spaces, we hope to uncover new approaches to improving our cities.
Place-based Operations
As a place-based practice working primarily with partners in the Bay Area, our approach fosters long-term relationships built at the speed of trust.
Where can community-driven processes be helpful?
Policy & Program Design
Such as in housing, labor, and public health.
Urban Design & Placemaking
Helping communities envision for how their neighborhoods could meet their needs
Democratic Processes
Such as citizens’ assemblies or participatory budgeting
We can adapt to the needs of any situation, whether stewarding a project from start to finish or jumping in at a specific moment.
How exactly can LETS help you?
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Nothing beats gathering people to solve a problem. LETS facilitates in-person and hybrid workshops (like those used IDEO, Google, and innovative organizations) to gather perspectives and generate new ideas. We intend to move beyond the traditional “public meeting” and design engagements that nurture relationships and make community members feel genuinely empowered.
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The team at LETS comes from years of experience in both technology and community organizing. We use the latest tools to maximize reach, gather feedback, and identify areas of consensus within a broad and diverse populace.
We’re also interested in designing new tools to enhance public engagement practices – ask us more if interested. -
We’re committed to being a thought partner from start to finish. We’ll work with you to determine a community engagement strategy that genuinely puts power in the hands of the people, and paves a path to a brighter future.
