Definition – Social inclusion
can be defined as the process of improving the conditions for individuals and groups to participate actively in society. Social inclusion seeks to empower poor and marginalised people in particular, to ensure that they have a voice in decisions which affect their lives and that they enjoy equal access to services and political, social and physical spaces. See also diversity, equity, hard-to-reach groups and participation.
Relevance to SUMP – Participation activities designed to involve poor and marginalised people in the SUMP preparation process are a form of social inclusion, and in turn these should help to ensure that the proposed SUMP measures also promote social inclusion. During the development of a SUMP, public authorities are also encouraged to cooperate with actors from other policy fields, including those that have a focus on improving social inclusion (see horizontal integration).
Source: World Bank, 2013