The challenge of funding consensus-building processes

processes to foster agreement on public policy is growing rapidly in the United States. In my home state of Montana, for example, we are see-ing the emergence of many commu-nity-based attempts to resolve public disputes on water use, growth man-agement, public land planning, and human services policy. People with diverse viewpoints are also coming together to build understanding and seek agreement on hazardous waste policy, the regulation of game farms, wilderness and federal lands, and other multi-party public policy issues. Facilitators and mediators play a crucial role in designing and manag-ing these consensus-building forums. They help stakeholders assess their situation to determine if a consensus process is appropriate, then work with the participants to design an effective process. They may also convene and coordinate meetings; shuttle among participants to clarify issues and possibilities; serve as an objective recorder of what is dis-cussed; prepare documents, such as ground rules, work plans, and areas of agreement; and assist the partici-pants in implementing agreements. Although consensus processes are growing in popularity, the ability to pay professional facilitators and media-tors is often a challenge, particularly in a social, economic, and political envi-ronment that is increasingly character-ized by a growing demand on limited resources. It is imperative, therefore, to explore new ways of leveraging funds from individuals, corporations, government, and philanthropic foun-dations to support consensus-building forums. The experience of the Mon-tana Consensus Council as a public-private partnership offers some valuable lessons for this search