cofacilitator

A cofacilitator is a person who shares responsibility for guiding a group through a process or meeting alongside one or more other facilitators. The role involves planning, structuring activities, and ensuring that group goals are addressed.

In practice, a cofacilitator supports the lead by managing logistics, timekeeping, and note-taking, while helping to facilitate discussion. They monitor dynamics, invite quieter participants, help resolve conflicts, and translate ideas into concrete next steps.

Common settings include classrooms and workshops, corporate trainings, community organizing, design sprints, and group therapy or support groups. The cofacilitator often handles separate tasks such as assessment, documentation, or exercises while the primary facilitator steers the session.

Key skills include clear communication, active listening, neutrality, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to design and adapt agendas. Experience with facilitation techniques and strong collaboration with the lead facilitator help maintain consistency and inclusivity.

Benefits of cofacilitation include redundancy, broader skill coverage, and greater participation. Challenges may involve role ambiguity and the need for pre-session coordination to align approaches.