A/HRC/23/36 requiring attestation from officials or community elites that a person is likely to be “affected” by the outcome of a decision.24 NGOs with close knowledge of and links with the community in question can assist in identifying those within the community who are most excluded, and support their inclusion and participation. 50. In addition, the principles of equality and non-discrimination require that participatory processes and mechanisms meet the standards of availability, accessibility, adaptability and acceptability. 51. In the context of participation, availability means that channels of participation, access to information and accountability mechanisms must be made available in sufficient quantity (and be of sufficient quality) to meet the needs of the community in question. 52. These mechanisms, opportunities and processes must be physically and economically accessible to all, without discrimination and without disproportionate cost or risk. This implies that the obstacles which prevent the poorest and most marginalized people from participating must be addressed, including additional and overlapping obstacles due to age, disability, ethnicity, language, geographical location or other factors. 53. Mechanisms, processes and channels should be adaptable to the local context, taking into account the specific needs of communities or individuals in different social and cultural settings, and also adaptable to changing local, national and international contexts and standards. 54. In terms of acceptability, the processes and channels of participation, information and accountability mechanisms must be designed and implemented in a form that respects the cultural values, norms and practices of all those groups that request and use them. They must be respectful of diversity, using terminology and references accepted by the community, and the space used for participatory processes should also be culturally adequate for the community. 55. For instance, in terms of accessibility, organizers must ensure that the meeting locations are neither exclusionary nor prove to be a further obstacle to participation for people living in poverty. Community-based processes will reduce costs and travel time for participants, increasing the likelihood of their involvement. Participatory processes must also extend to remote rural communities. Organizers must provide adequate notice, via an appropriate mode of communication; this will vary depending on the community, taking into consideration the principles of acceptability and adaptability. Traditional and personal methods of communication should be considered and may be more likely to reach people living in poverty than official bulletins or announcements on websites. 56. Similarly, organizers should consult with individuals to identify a time for meetings that does not detrimentally impact wage-earning possibilities or care responsibilities – for example, after regular work hours and during seasons when migrant labourers are at home and available.25 Organizers and facilitators must be trained to have sufficient understanding of the social, cultural and political context; build trust and respect, be non-judgemental; and motivate and support participants. Similarly, it may be necessary to conduct capacitybuilding activities with participants in advance of the main process. 57. In order to ensure that people living in poverty can participate on an equal basis, participants should be reimbursed for all costs related to attendance at meetings, including upfront, hidden and opportunity costs. At a minimum, participants must be reimbursed for transportation costs, and, if appropriate, their time, and on-site childcare should be 24 25 Ibid., p. 11. Ibid., p. 19. 13