In the context of significant global economic and health challenges, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening and institutionalising social participation must be a priority to advance health and well-being. Social participation – defined as empowering people, communities, and civil society through inclusive participation in decision-making processes that affect health across the policy cycle and at all levels of the system is a crucial element of good governance for health. The policy cycle involves situational analysis, priority setting, planning, budget, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review, which occur at community, district, regional and national levels.