Talking Innovation: Listening and Amplifying Community Voices in Flood Risk Management

ABSTRACT Shifting away from traditional deficit‐based approaches like the ‘Decide‐Announce‐Defend’ model toward more inclusive and equitable community engagement presents both challenges and opportunities. Flood authorities often lack awareness or understanding of how to use effective active listening tools and methods to meaningfully engage and include flood‐affected communities. In this paper, we present two innovative methods rooted in the Asset‐Based Community Development framework, which emphasise listening and dialogue, and have been shown to build relationships and address power imbalances. Community Radio Practice (CRP) was used as a landing exercise to learn about the communities, and Walk in My Wellies (WiMW) was an initiative where Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCRM) professionals were paired with community leaders. Talking, listening and communicating in the ‘right’ way was discussed at length in the WiMW programme, and the CRP approach led professional stakeholders such as local authorities to shift their preconceptions, and understand the importance of their relationships with the community. These innovative talking initiatives created ‘safe’ spaces to understand different perspectives; FCRM professionals and community members listened to each other with openness, honesty and respect, identifying barriers and sharing ideas to increase effective community engagement. CRP created lightbulb moments for FCRM professionals revealing the value of engaging with communities and power asymmetries began to shift, as did awareness of additional engagement approaches. Both CRP and WiMW highlighted the need for appropriate training, as enhancing FCRM professionals' understanding of community engagement is critical to reducing barriers and supporting a more equitable distribution of power and agency.