PASI Framework by Purpose

PASI Framework
by Purpose

PASI Framework by Purpose

01. Actively Listen to

Community Needs

01. Actively Listen to Community Needs

01. Actively Listen to

Community Needs

Every socially impactful initiative begins with understanding the needs of the communities.

Why

Active listening uncovers not only needs and aspirations, but also existing efforts and genuine levers for change. Listening also establishes a connection with the communities, serving as a stepping stone towards nurturing trust.

To-Do

Engage in active listening with communities to understand their needs.
Use activity-based engagement methods to listen, so that the community members as well find the interaction meaningful and engaging to them.
Identify existing efforts and challenges in achieving results.
In consultation with the communities, choose needs that show potential to hold a platform for them to make their loudest voice.

Engage in active listening with communities to understand their needs.
Use activity-based engagement methods to listen, so that the community members as well find the interaction meaningful and engaging to them.
Identify existing efforts and challenges in achieving results.
In consultation with the communities, choose needs that show potential to hold a platform for them to make their loudest voice.

Engage in active listening with communities to understand their needs.
Use activity-based engagement methods to listen, so that the community members as well find the interaction meaningful and engaging to them.
Identify existing efforts and challenges in achieving results.
In consultation with the communities, choose needs that show potential to hold a platform for them to make their loudest voice.

Be(a)ware

Co-select needs that are achievable and resonate deeply with the communities, even if they are not their top priority.
Listening without action is hollow. Deepen connections through tangible follow-ups.

Co-select needs that are achievable and resonate deeply with the communities, even if they are not their top priority.
Listening without action is hollow. Deepen connections through tangible follow-ups.

Co-select needs that are achievable and resonate deeply with the communities, even if they are not their top priority.
Listening without action is hollow. Deepen connections through tangible follow-ups.

02. Strengthen Trust through Ground Partnership

As outsiders to the communities, to truly empower from within, partner with grassroots organisations who are strongly connected and committed to the communities they serve.

Why

Trust forms the cornerstone of meaningful relationships. Ground partners rooted in the communities and their needs, can help establish trust by bridging values and aligning existing efforts within the communities.

To-Do

Explore and select grassroots organisations whose participatory values and vision for the communities you align with.
If necessary, run small-scale art-based pilots with the ground partners, to assess value alignment and work dynamics.

Explore and select grassroots organisations whose participatory values and vision for the communities you align with.
If necessary, run small-scale art-based pilots with the ground partners, to assess value alignment and work dynamics.

Explore and select grassroots organisations whose participatory values and vision for the communities you align with.
If necessary, run small-scale art-based pilots with the ground partners, to assess value alignment and work dynamics.

Be(a)ware

Grassroots already working on identified needs with the communities may be apt partners. However, PASI is a unique approach that drives change through art-based social movements, which can be challenging for some grassroots to accommodate within their traditional approaches to community work. So also, seek partners who may be working on allied causes, but are open to this new approach and capable of delivering PASI with their communities

Grassroots already working on identified needs with the communities may be apt partners. However, PASI is a unique approach that drives change through art-based social movements, which can be challenging for some grassroots to accommodate within their traditional approaches to community work. So also, seek partners who may be working on allied causes, but are open to this new approach and capable of delivering PASI with their communities

03. Immerse into Local Art and Cultural Practices in the Communities

Grounding the participatory art in their familiar symbols, and creative expressions ensures that it is relatable and accessible, fostering a sense of connection that makes participation organic and meaningful.

Why

Immersing in communities’ cultural narratives, demonstrates respect for their heritage, making the art feel like an extension of their identity rather than an external imposition. This fosters participation, ownership, and pride in the journey.

To-Do

Create an art and design mood board from the community’s cultural, ethnic, and natural elements.
Involve local artisans and craftspeople to blend expertise with cultural authenticity.
Facilitate community-driven selection of creative expressions.

Create an art and design mood board from the community’s cultural, ethnic, and natural elements.
Involve local artisans and craftspeople to blend expertise with cultural authenticity.
Facilitate community-driven selection of creative expressions.

Create an art and design mood board from the community’s cultural, ethnic, and natural elements.
Involve local artisans and craftspeople to blend expertise with cultural authenticity.
Facilitate community-driven selection of creative expressions.

Be(a)ware

Communities are inherently culturally diverse. Ensure inclusivity when representing diverse inspirations within the communities.

04. Build a Collective Identity to Strengthen Community Cohesion

Community cohesion is the foundation for collective action. Given their inherent cultural diversity with differing sense of belonging, a community may exhibit varying levels of cohesive strength. In this context, a shared collective identity could foster unity and promote continued collective participation throughout and beyond PASI.

Why

A shared identity promotes pride and alignment with the community’s collective goals, while also encouraging consistent participation toward the outcome, during and beyond the PASI engagement.

To-Do

Co-create with your communities, a brand that reflects cultural, ethnic, and local identities. Take inspiration from community-specific symbols and traditions.
Encourage co-creation of the brand logo and colour palette, or minimum gain feedback through voting for final designs, to ensure ownership.

Co-create with your communities, a brand that reflects cultural, ethnic, and local identities. Take inspiration from community-specific symbols and traditions.
Encourage co-creation of the brand logo and colour palette, or minimum gain feedback through voting for final designs, to ensure ownership.

Co-create with your communities, a brand that reflects cultural, ethnic, and local identities. Take inspiration from community-specific symbols and traditions.
Encourage co-creation of the brand logo and colour palette, or minimum gain feedback through voting for final designs, to ensure ownership.

Be(a)ware

Community cohesion extends beyond shared branding—it includes integration, strong networks and consistent meaningful achievements under the collective identity.

05. Align Goals and Aspirations with your Communities

As enablers, we are limited by our output and outcome commitments to donors. Being upfront about these limitations to transparently align achievable project objectives with community needs and aspirations ensures that the process remains inclusive of the communities’ equal collaboration.

Why

Aligning on a shared vision at the outset strengthens trust, clarifies intentions and sustains motivation to engage among all stakeholders. This shared purpose ensures that both the process and the outcomes remain meaningful and impactful for the communities.

To-Do

When drafting outputs and outcomes, ensure that the communities’ inputs gained through active listening are appropriately incorporated.
Facilitate an open discussion with your community members, to align with their expectations.
Allow flexibility to accommodate evolving needs and feedback from the communities.

When drafting outputs and outcomes, ensure that the communities’ inputs gained through active listening are appropriately incorporated.
Facilitate an open discussion with your community members, to align with their expectations.
Allow flexibility to accommodate evolving needs and feedback from the communities.

When drafting outputs and outcomes, ensure that the communities’ inputs gained through active listening are appropriately incorporated.
Facilitate an open discussion with your community members, to align with their expectations.
Allow flexibility to accommodate evolving needs and feedback from the communities.

Be(a)ware

Ensure that the communities’ voices drive the project goal setting.
Avoid unrealistic expectations for immediate large-scale impact by clearly emphasizing achievable objectives and outcomes possibilities.
Communities’ needs may evolve through the course of your engagement. Maintain open-communication to adapt and realign as necessary.

Ensure that the communities’ voices drive the project goal setting.
Avoid unrealistic expectations for immediate large-scale impact by clearly emphasizing achievable objectives and outcomes possibilities.
Communities’ needs may evolve through the course of your engagement. Maintain open-communication to adapt and realign as necessary.

06. Capacitate & Empower Community Using Creative Methods

Creative Methods help to break free from the melancholy of serious social problems, nurturing a safe space for open dialogue and authentic expressions.

Why

Amidst the quotidian tasks, community members prefer creatively designed engagements as it unburdens them from the daily monotony, giving them a reason to step away to join forces for collective change. Creative methods not only captivate but also simplify complex concepts, making them easier to grasp and engage with intellectually.

To-Do

Design your capacity building sessions to be creative and interactive.
Beforehand inform the community members of why the workshop, and what to expect. Gain their inputs on what more they seek to learn, and incorporate the content in your sessions.
Be mindful of the time the community members have to spend, and schedule according to their availability and convenience.
At the end of every session, gain the community’s feedback on knowledge gain and improvements needed.

Design your capacity building sessions to be creative and interactive.
Beforehand inform the community members of why the workshop, and what to expect. Gain their inputs on what more they seek to learn, and incorporate the content in your sessions.
Be mindful of the time the community members have to spend, and schedule according to their availability and convenience.
At the end of every session, gain the community’s feedback on knowledge gain and improvements needed.

Design your capacity building sessions to be creative and interactive.
Beforehand inform the community members of why the workshop, and what to expect. Gain their inputs on what more they seek to learn, and incorporate the content in your sessions.
Be mindful of the time the community members have to spend, and schedule according to their availability and convenience.
At the end of every session, gain the community’s feedback on knowledge gain and improvements needed.

Be(a)ware

Not all community members may be immediately comfortable expressing themselves creatively. Gradual engagement and trust building are key.
Ensure that creative methodologies are inclusive, avoiding over-reliance on literacy or digital tools that may exclude certain groups.
Recognise and respect existing cultural expressions, integrating them in the session.

Not all community members may be immediately comfortable expressing themselves creatively. Gradual engagement and trust building are key.
Ensure that creative methodologies are inclusive, avoiding over-reliance on literacy or digital tools that may exclude certain groups.
Recognise and respect existing cultural expressions, integrating them in the session.

07. Establish Community Ambassadors or Champions

Community Ambassadors or Champions are individuals from within the communities who are willing to guide and lead other community members with essential knowledge and skills to drive action aimed at transforming status-quo.

Why

Community Ambassadors through their leadership and bond with the community, amplify learnings within their communities. They act as bridges connecting grassroots initiatives with broader advocacy efforts with influencers and decision-makers. Beyond the initial PASI engagement, they become anchors, guiding and leading their community in continuing efforts to address common challenges.

To-Do

Adopt a transparent and inclusive process to co-identify Community Ambassadors.
With inputs from them, clearly draft roles and responsibilities of Ambassadors during the course of PASI engagement.
Where sought, create resources and infrastructures to mentor the ambassadors in their role. Along with models of interactions for reflective check-ins, feedbacks and improvements.
Facilitate establishing community owned digital or non-digital peer-networks where Ambassadors can exchange knowledge and support one another.

Adopt a transparent and inclusive process to co-identify Community Ambassadors.
With inputs from them, clearly draft roles and responsibilities of Ambassadors during the course of PASI engagement.
Where sought, create resources and infrastructures to mentor the ambassadors in their role. Along with models of interactions for reflective check-ins, feedbacks and improvements.
Facilitate establishing community owned digital or non-digital peer-networks where Ambassadors can exchange knowledge and support one another.

Be(a)ware

Ambassadors must emerge organically and collectively nominated by the community rather than being externally appointed. This shares power and entrusts ownership on the community.
Use a data-informed approach to ensure that these leadership roles are representative of the broader community.
Ambassadors could be overburdened with responsibilities, and therefore it is essential that they be provided with adequate resources and infrastructure from within the community, to support their performance and wellbeing..

Ambassadors must emerge organically and collectively nominated by the community rather than being externally appointed. This shares power and entrusts ownership on the community.
Use a data-informed approach to ensure that these leadership roles are representative of the broader community.
Ambassadors could be overburdened with responsibilities, and therefore it is essential that they be provided with adequate resources and infrastructure from within the community, to support their performance and wellbeing..

08. Partner with Artists or Designers

Partner with artists or designers who are willing to work with communities to translate their stories and aspirations into compelling co-created art that resonates deeply within and beyond the community.

Why

Professional artists and designers hold the capability to merge artistic vision with community narratives. When the artist co-creates with the community, it ensures that art is not only aesthetically powerful, but also culturally resonant and contextually relevant.

To-Do

Seek out artists or studios whose work demonstrates a commitment to social impact and an understanding of or willingness to apply participatory methods.
Assess their capacity to work collaboratively with communities by ensuring they prioritise co-creation over self-expression.
Facilitate sessions where practitioners engage directly with the community to understand their stories, aspirations and cultural identities.
Align on outputs, outcomes and processes to ensure that their creative work reflects the spirit of PASI.

Seek out artists or studios whose work demonstrates a commitment to social impact and an understanding of or willingness to apply participatory methods.
Assess their capacity to work collaboratively with communities by ensuring they prioritise co-creation over self-expression.
Facilitate sessions where practitioners engage directly with the community to understand their stories, aspirations and cultural identities.
Align on outputs, outcomes and processes to ensure that their creative work reflects the spirit of PASI.

Be(a)ware

Collaborative creative outputs may raise questions around authorship and accountability. Maintain clarity in roles and responsibilities.
Not all artists or studios are equipped to handle the nuanced dynamics of participatory work. Look for practitioners who are open to feedback and flexible in their methods, as the community's voice must remain central to the process. Be cautious of collaborators who may prioritise their artistic agenda over the community's needs.
Lastly, ensure the partnership emphasises shared learning and mutual respect, avoiding any hierarchy that could diminish the community’s role of an equal partner.

Collaborative creative outputs may raise questions around authorship and accountability. Maintain clarity in roles and responsibilities.
Not all artists or studios are equipped to handle the nuanced dynamics of participatory work. Look for practitioners who are open to feedback and flexible in their methods, as the community's voice must remain central to the process. Be cautious of collaborators who may prioritise their artistic agenda over the community's needs.
Lastly, ensure the partnership emphasises shared learning and mutual respect, avoiding any hierarchy that could diminish the community’s role of an equal partner.

09. Co-Create and
Co-Implement the Art with the Community

It is a process where artists, community members and ground partners come together to transform diverse stories, perspectives and aspirations into loud and persuasive artistic expressions, with the intent to amplify their voices to be heard and seek action.

Why

By involving the community in every stage—from ideation to implementation—the art interventions become authentic reflections of their lived experiences. Art that is not only for the community, but also by the community, empowers their agency and ownership, paving the road for long-term commitment from the community, to continue to lead change from within.

To-Do

Facilitate ideation workshops and prototype activities where community members actively contribute ideas, concepts, and designs.
Weigh diverse perspectives to design interventions democratically.
Balance individual expression with collective vision.
Continuously engage with the community gathering feedback and refining the intervention to reflect their artistic expression.
Prioritise sustainability by selecting materials and methods that minimise environmental impact — such as using nature friendly materials and materials that can be reused or recycled.

Facilitate ideation workshops and prototype activities where community members actively contribute ideas, concepts, and designs.
Weigh diverse perspectives to design interventions democratically.
Balance individual expression with collective vision.
Continuously engage with the community gathering feedback and refining the intervention to reflect their artistic expression.
Prioritise sustainability by selecting materials and methods that minimise environmental impact — such as using nature friendly materials and materials that can be reused or recycled.

Be(a)ware

Ensure that the broader objective of the intervention is aligned with the community’s expectations and vision.
Be mindful of the environmental impact of interventions. Support sustainable practices to ensure long-term benefits.
Be cautious of power dynamics that may arise and ensure all participants feel empowered and equally involved in the process.
Ensure that the art does not put the community at risk for speaking out by taking necessary approvals beforehand, to implement and engage through art.

Ensure that the broader objective of the intervention is aligned with the community’s expectations and vision.
Be mindful of the environmental impact of interventions. Support sustainable practices to ensure long-term benefits.
Be cautious of power dynamics that may arise and ensure all participants feel empowered and equally involved in the process.
Ensure that the art does not put the community at risk for speaking out by taking necessary approvals beforehand, to implement and engage through art.

10. Leverage the Participatory Art as a Platform to Engage with Key Stakeholders

Art transcends language, societal and bureaucratic barriers. This way it serves as a welcoming platform where diverse influential stakeholders and decision-makers can be invited for direct engagement with the communities. Augmented with media, this reach can be amplified beyond key stakeholders.

Why

The community narratives integrated in PASI would enable any audience to be more than mere spectators, evoking listening, reflection, and response. Augmented with traditional advocacy methods, PASI, when presented by the community in a public landscape, holds the power to create moments that demand attention and accountability.

To-Do

Implement the art in public landscapes, digital or non-digital.
Co-design guided art experiences that create structured yet organic opportunities for dialogue between decision-makers and communities.
Train and capacitate community members on best practices with media, and other influential stakeholders and decision-makers. This will ensure that their demands are well communicated and they are not misrepresented.
Invite the stakeholders to experience the art first-hand, encouraging them to step into the community’s perspective through facilitated discussions.
Document and amplify these interventions through media and social platforms, to expand the reach of the community beyond their immediate audience.

Implement the art in public landscapes, digital or non-digital.
Co-design guided art experiences that create structured yet organic opportunities for dialogue between decision-makers and communities.
Train and capacitate community members on best practices with media, and other influential stakeholders and decision-makers. This will ensure that their demands are well communicated and they are not misrepresented.
Invite the stakeholders to experience the art first-hand, encouraging them to step into the community’s perspective through facilitated discussions.
Document and amplify these interventions through media and social platforms, to expand the reach of the community beyond their immediate audience.

Be(a)ware

Ensure that the PASI is designed to be inclusive for diverse groups of community members to use the art to express their needs.
To ensure action after this art-based engagement, together with the community, schedule follow-ups with necessary resources to drive decisions.

Ensure that the PASI is designed to be inclusive for diverse groups of community members to use the art to express their needs.
To ensure action after this art-based engagement, together with the community, schedule follow-ups with necessary resources to drive decisions.

11. Share Learnings with the Communities

Creating spaces for communities to reflect with you on your shared experiences, documenting learnings and exchanging insights during and at the end of the engagement, adds to the community’s growing knowledge. It will also equip them with necessary tools to independently or with minimal support, lead future initiatives.

Why

Reflective learning and sharing insights ensures that the engagement remains meaningful and relevant to the communities. It ensures a chance for the communities to independently or with minimal support extend the impact from the engagement to beyond the project timeline.

To-Do

Facilitate reflection sessions to openly share insights and experiences with your communities.
Document these learnings and insights in the form of Minutes of Meeting or Videos or handbooks. Involve community members in the documentation process, and ensure that the final knowledge product is a shared and accessible resource with the community.
Host convening’s for different communities involved to exchange learnings and meet with the larger ecosystems of industry practitioners.

Facilitate reflection sessions to openly share insights and experiences with your communities.
Document these learnings and insights in the form of Minutes of Meeting or Videos or handbooks. Involve community members in the documentation process, and ensure that the final knowledge product is a shared and accessible resource with the community.
Host convening’s for different communities involved to exchange learnings and meet with the larger ecosystems of industry practitioners.

Be(a)ware

Ensure discussions and convening’s use media and materials that are accessible to the communities - by form, language and ability.
Explore verbal and non-text based methods (such as films) to promote knowledge exchange with illiterate community members.
When sharing learnings, some voices may be louder than others. Use creative interaction methods to encourage diverse perspectives.

Ensure discussions and convening’s use media and materials that are accessible to the communities - by form, language and ability.
Explore verbal and non-text based methods (such as films) to promote knowledge exchange with illiterate community members.
When sharing learnings, some voices may be louder than others. Use creative interaction methods to encourage diverse perspectives.

12. Co-define Pathways to Sustain Impact

It is, working together with the communities, leveraging the expertise of the ground partners, to create realistic and actionable long-term strategies to carry forward the momentum built during the PASI intervention, and sustain the loudness of the community’s voices in the decision contexts.

Why

Achieving lasting change and impact extends beyond the immediate outcomes of participatory art interventions. The PASI interventions generate the much-needed momentum to amplify marginalised voices, which the communities must be able to continue to grow and evolve with necessary support.

To-Do

Celebrate milestones and achievements to reinforce collective ownership and motivation.
Conduct collaborative workshops with the communities to identify shared visions and priorities for sustaining the outcomes of the engagement.
Strengthen community’s social networks with officials and industry professionals.
Co-develop tools and knowledge products tailored to the community’s need to sustain —such as training modules, toolkits, or guidebooks that support independent leadership towards change from status-quo.
Establish feedback loops and monitoring processes that enable communities to track their progress and adapt their approaches as needed.

Celebrate milestones and achievements to reinforce collective ownership and motivation.
Conduct collaborative workshops with the communities to identify shared visions and priorities for sustaining the outcomes of the engagement.
Strengthen community’s social networks with officials and industry professionals.
Co-develop tools and knowledge products tailored to the community’s need to sustain —such as training modules, toolkits, or guidebooks that support independent leadership towards change from status-quo.
Establish feedback loops and monitoring processes that enable communities to track their progress and adapt their approaches as needed.

Be(a)ware

Sustained involvement may be demanding, leading to some obvious barriers such as lack of funds, resources, leadership, or shifting community priorities. Co-develop solution pathways to addressing barriers.
Through collective commitment markers, strengthen community’s will and ownership in taking forward the collective action for their shared cause.

Sustained involvement may be demanding, leading to some obvious barriers such as lack of funds, resources, leadership, or shifting community priorities. Co-develop solution pathways to addressing barriers.
Through collective commitment markers, strengthen community’s will and ownership in taking forward the collective action for their shared cause.

Crafted by Purpose India, the Participatory Arts for Social Impact framework was co-developed with Auom Impact and Consulting.

Contact us!

Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!

Write to us at newdelhi@purpose.com

Contact us!

Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!

Write to us at newdelhi@purpose.com

01. Actively Listen to

Community Needs

01. Actively Listen to Community Needs

01. Actively Listen to

Community Needs

Engage in active listening with communities to understand their needs.

Co-select needs that are achievable and resonate deeply with the communities, even if they are not their top priority.

Listening without action is hollow. Deepen connections through tangible follow-ups.

02. Strengthen Trust through Ground Partnership

02. Strengthen Trust through Ground Partnership

02. Strengthen Trust through Ground Partnership

03. Immerse into Local Art and Cultural Practices in the Communities

03. Immerse into Local Art and Cultural Practices in the Communities

03. Immerse into Local Art and Cultural Practices in the Communities

Communities are inherently culturally diverse. Ensure inclusivity when representing diverse inspirations within the communities.

04. Build a Collective Identity to Strengthen Community Cohesion

04. Build a Collective Identity to Strengthen Community Cohesion

Community cohesion extends beyond shared branding—it includes integration, strong networks and consistent meaningful achievements under the collective identity.

05. Align Goals and Aspirations with your Communities

05. Align Goals and Aspirations with your Communities

Ensure that the communities’ voices drive the project goal setting.

06. Capacitate & Empower Community Using Creative Methods

06. Capacitate & Empower Community Using Creative Methods

Not all community members may be immediately comfortable expressing themselves creatively. Gradual engagement and trust building are key.

07. Establish Community Ambassadors or Champions

07. Establish Community Ambassadors or Champions

08. Partner with Artists or Designers

08. Partner with Artists or Designers

Collaborative creative outputs may raise questions around authorship and accountability. Maintain clarity in roles and responsibilities.

Lastly, ensure the partnership emphasises shared learning and mutual respect, avoiding any hierarchy that could diminish the community’s role of an equal partner.

09. Co-Create and Co-Implement the Art with the Community

09. Co-Create and Co-Implement the Art with the Community

Ensure that the broader objective of the intervention is aligned with the community’s expectations and vision.

Be mindful of the environmental impact of interventions. Support sustainable practices to ensure long-term benefits.

Be cautious of power dynamics that may arise and ensure all participants feel empowered and equally involved in the process.

Ensure that the art does not put the community at risk for speaking out by taking necessary approvals beforehand, to implement and engage through art.

10. Leverage the Participatory Art as a Platform to Engage with Key Stakeholders

10. Leverage the Participatory Art as a Platform to Engage with Key Stakeholders

Ensure that the PASI is designed to be inclusive for diverse groups of community members to use the art to express their needs.

To ensure action after this art-based engagement, together with the community, schedule follow-ups with necessary resources to drive decisions.

11. Share Learnings with the Communities

11. Share Learnings with the Communities

Ensure discussions and convening’s use media and materials that are accessible to the communities - by form, language and ability.

Explore verbal and non-text based methods (such as films) to promote knowledge exchange with illiterate community members.

When sharing learnings, some voices may be louder than others. Use creative interaction methods to encourage diverse perspectives.

12. Co-define Pathways to Sustain Impact

12. Co-define Pathways to Sustain Impact

Sustained involvement may be demanding, leading to some obvious barriers such as lack of funds, resources, leadership, or shifting community priorities. Co-develop solution pathways to addressing barriers.

Through collective commitment markers, strengthen community’s will and ownership in taking forward the collective action for their shared cause.

Crafted by Purpose India, the Participatory Arts for Social Impact framework was co-developed with Auom Impact and Consulting.

Contact us!Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!

Contact us!Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!

09. Co-Create and
Co-Implement the Art with the Community

09. Co-Create and
Co-Implement the Art with the Community

Contact us!

Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!

Contact us!

Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!