This page brings together curated and annotated links to open-access facilitation guides, frameworks and process design resources. These resources support the design and facilitation of collaborative processes, from individual workshops through to longer-term multi-actor change initiatives.
The page is intended for experienced facilitators, process designers and collaboration practitioners, as well as people working within organisations, teams and partnerships who want to support more purposeful participation, dialogue, learning and decision-making. Some resources are best suited to complex, multi-actor or systems-oriented work, while others provide more accessible starting points for people building facilitation capability from within their own settings.
For a broader introduction to facilitation as a practice for supporting collaboration, learning and change, visit the main Facilitation hub. For session-level activities and practical methods, see Facilitation tools and techniques.
The resources below include foundational guidebooks, multi-stakeholder partnership resources, participatory process guides, systems-based facilitation frameworks and curated method libraries. They are useful for people designing inclusive processes, planning purposeful agendas, creating supportive group environments and supporting shared learning over time. The annotations are intended to help readers judge which resources best fit their purpose, role and level of experience.
Foundational guides for facilitation and process design
These practical resources support the design and delivery of collaborative processes – from single sessions to longer-term change initiatives.
Tools for regenerative practice
This substantial guide, led by Sam Buckton, Ioan Fazey, Bill Sharpe and Daniel Wahl, brings together 30 frameworks, exercises and methods for regenerative practice. It includes tools for framing, imagination, action, bioregioning, evaluation and systems work. It is aimed mainly at people facilitating groups in workshops, training, strategic planning and participatory processes, and is especially useful where teams want to explore regenerative approaches, transformation, place-based action and shared learning.
The MSP Guide: How to design and facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships
This practical guide by Herman Brouwer, Jim Woodhill, and colleagues supports the design and facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes. It covers key principles, roles, planning stages, and facilitation strategies to help diverse groups collaborate effectively. Suitable for both beginners and experienced facilitators, it is widely used in development, sustainability, and policy contexts.
Tamarack Institute resource library
A rich collection of tools, templates, and conceptual frameworks to support community change and collaboration. Its practical, practitioner-oriented resources cover everything from stakeholder engagement to systems change and co-leadership.
OECD: Innovative citizen participation and new democratic institutions
This OECD report examines how representative deliberative processes, such as citizens’ assemblies, juries and panels, are being used to support public decision-making. It is useful for people designing participatory and deliberative processes that move beyond consultation toward more structured public judgement and shared decision-making.
Facilitator’s Toolkit – NHS England
A practical guide for planning and delivering facilitated sessions. It covers preparation, group dynamics, participation, recording outputs and handling challenging behaviour. Originally developed for healthcare settings, but widely applicable to collaborative and multi-sector environments.
Guide for Facilitators – Participatory Action Research
Written by Robert Nurick and Marina Apgar, this guide offers a clear, structured approach to facilitating participatory action research (PAR). Originally developed for the CGIAR Aquatic Agricultural Systems programme, it helps facilitators balance reflection, rigour, and inclusive engagement. Equally valuable in community development and collaborative research contexts.
Frameworks and curated libraries for systems-based facilitation
These collections support whole-of-process design, reflection, and facilitation practice in complex, multi-stakeholder, or change-oriented environments. They go beyond single techniques to help facilitators navigate context, relationships, systems thinking, and collaborative learning. Many integrate regenerative leadership, equity practice, or values-based engagement alongside methods.
Liberating Structures – participatory patterns for inclusive group work
Originated by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless, Liberating Structures offers a repertoire of facilitation patterns designed to widen participation, structure interaction and help groups work more creatively and adaptively. The methods are freely available through the recently remastered Liberating Structures website. They are useful for facilitators, team leaders and practitioners wanting to move beyond over-managed meetings or under-structured discussion, and to build more inclusive forms of collaboration over time.
H3Uni Resource Library – Tools for transformative learning and leadership
A substantial collection of methods, frameworks and facilitation tools designed to support collaborative learning, futures thinking and systems transformation. The resources focus on regenerative leadership, visual thinking, participatory mapping and reflective dialogue. Useful for facilitators working in complex, change-oriented contexts where groups need to explore patterns, possibilities and practical next steps.
Toolbox Toolbox – Curated collections of participatory methods
Toolbox Toolbox curates collections of methods and toolkits for participatory, creative and justice-oriented practice. Each featured toolbox reflects a distinct ethos, from facilitation and conflict transformation to collective care and imagination. The Commons Library facilitation collection is especially useful for practitioners looking for group tools that connect participation, inclusion and wider social change.
The Barefoot Guides
Created by social change practitioners around the world, these story-based guides blend wisdom, facilitation methods, and reflective practice. The resources explore power, participation, and learning in complex settings and include exercises, case stories, and reflective questions. Ideal for facilitators working in movement spaces, community development, and values-based collaborative work.
Chaordic Stepping Stones
Developed by Chris Corrigan and colleagues in the Art of Hosting community, the Chaordic Stepping Stones offer a practical design tool for planning participatory processes in complex and emergent settings. The framework helps groups work through questions of need, purpose, principles, people, structure and practice without over-specifying the process too early.
These guides and frameworks sit alongside the main Facilitation hub, which provides a broader introduction to facilitation as a practice for supporting collaboration, learning and change. For practical session-level activities and methods, visit Facilitation tools and techniques. Related Learning for Sustainability pages also cover Managing virtual teams, Managing virtual meetings and events, Social learning, Systemic design and Participatory action research.
[* Photo by BullRun / Adobe Stock]