This paper raises a series of pertinent questions regarding the modalities of a Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) system. The use of M & E (monitoring and evaluation) which was designed in the past as a control mechanism by donor agencies would beg serious questions if we were to use it as a tool for PM&E.
This document describes, in detail, the processes and the outcomes of a training workshop on participatory appraisal methods, the main objective of which was to develop a methodology for the study of urban poverty and violence in Jamaica. The training workshop, which was participated in by over a dozen people including the Bank staff, was carried out in three phases: an introduction to the methodology in classroom sessions, pilot fieldwork and review, and the planning for the main fieldwork . The report provides an example of how PRA tools can be used successfully in studying more sensitive issues in the urban context as well. The fact that a good PRA in practice can help to bring about changes in 'outsiders' view regarding the importance and practicality of PRA tools is demonstrated. The report contains annexes with tables and diagrams.
This brief article states that participatory forest management , which has been re- emphasised in current Indian government policies, is not only an opportunity for people to manage their own forest, but also a challenge for government staff as it demands a reversal in their attitudes towards people. The paper suggests that government officials should try to learn from the experience of other organisations which have been using participatory methods, such as Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, in natural resource management.
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This report describes the relationship between 'people-centered agricultural development', sustainability of agricultural development and the empowerment of the resource-poor people. The report also describes the evolution of the principles of people-centered agricultural development, their spread, effectiveness, and modifications in their application. (Remarks - incomplete document, maybe some pages missing at the end)
This document is a detailed account of six poor women collected using a variety of PRA methods, viz., time lines, wealth mapping, pocket chart voting, seasonality diagrams among others. The nature, causes and the extent of poverty as perceived by these six poor women and the actions taken by them to cope with poverty are described at great length. The report makes more broad as well as specific policy recommendations to reduce poverty. The report includes annexes with tables and diagrams.
The bulletin starts with an introductory article on the evolution of REFLECT (Regenerated Freirean Literacy through Empowering Community Techniques), which combines the Freirean approach to literacy with PRA. The teaching methods used in what is called a REFLECT circle (class) are described. Based on the result of the pilot projects, the article claims that REFLECT approach has been proved successful and cost-effective in teaching people to read and write and in enabling people to link literacy with wider developmental issues. Reports from the REFLECT pilots, country case study of El Salvador and Uganda, and adapting REFLECT to the urban context are included The expansion of REFLECT programme into new areas and the future of the programme is discussed. All the articles are translated into Spanish alongside the English.
This document chronologically lists the evolution of PRA, based on the personal accounts of the author. The developmental context in which PRA was first born is briefly outlined. The widespread interest in PRA leading to its expansion across institutions, sectors, project life cycles, information/experience sharing and in training is discussed. A brief comparison between ZOPP and PRA is made. Finally, the documents lists in detail the evolution of PRA in the Indian context and the increasing involvement of OUTREACH in PRA.
This report is a detailed account of a study on the impact of PRA. The main objective of the study was to elicit the perceptions of individuals and agencies (including communities) involved in promoting and practising PRA. They were asked about what they think the impact of PRA has been on their own lives, on their organisations as well as on other participating organisations. A total of seven NGO and government organisations were purposively selected for the study based on the author's knowledge about those organisations and their long term involvement in promoting PRA. For the purpose of collecting data on the impact of PRA, various workshops were conducted in which participants expressed their views either in writing or by drawing using a card. The research questions were focused on the perceived impact, quality and challenges facing PRA. The research is intended to benefit donors, managers of development projects, PRA practitioners in government and NGO projects and in communities, development consultants, trainers, academics and researchers involved/interested in the use of PRA in their work. The report contains detailed information on individual organisations studied with tables and diagrams in the Annex.
This document contains literature abstracts of PRA experiences shared by those agencies and individuals involved in various participatory work in Uganda. A total of twenty-four articles have been abstracted with notes on target audience and a list of keywords. The list of abstracted literature is wide-ranging .
This is a trainer's guide on how to carry out rural research. It tries to draw the attention of those involved in planning and rural research through the use of contrasting pictures - of 'good manners' and 'bad manners' - symbolising professionals' attitudes towards poor people. The purpose here is to illustrate how inappropriate attitudes (bad manners) on the part of the professionals towards the poor intimidate and humiliate the latter and preclude their involvement in poverty-programme planning. The document contains pictures with a note for trainers.
This is a brief list outlining the advantages and disadvantages of using PRA in the context of refugee emergencies. It analyses the pros and cons of PRA in terms of 'preparedness and response', 'communication and co-ordination' and 'contextual issues'.
This report outlines the methodologies and operational approaches to decentralised planning at the grassroots level using a variety of participatory methods including PLA. A number of operational procedures have been suggested as a prerequisite for decentralised planning, for example, assessment of the existing resources, opportunities and access to public services, needs assessment and a detailed list of sectoral activities to be undertaken. A long list of participatory methods that could be used in decentralised planning is included. The report includes tables and charts obtained from field-based PLA exercises, which illustrate different aspects of decentralised planning.
This brief note describes the experience of integrating formal, quantitative research into participatory research (which included observations and informal discussions with farmers) in the context of a conservation tillage project in Zimbabwe. The report suggests that such an integration of formal and participatory research in the process of technology development not only facilitates the process of information sharing and co-operation between farmers and professionals, but also and more importantly helps the former to establish their own identity as human beings.
Unlike the conventional methods of information collection in which outsiders are the immediate major gainers, this brief note describes how PRA can reverse this tradition and enable the villagers to gain from information sharing. Two examples from India - Panahpur, Utter Pradesh and ActionAid Karnataka - have been presented. Local people were used as PRA trainers (after receiving trainers' training from outside experts) and the informal village organisations took the responsibility of organising PRA training for outsiders. The income earned (through fees collected from the participants of the training) was utilised in local development projects.
This article discusses the pros and cons of PRA (and RRA). While acknowledging the innovativeness of PRA, the article warns that PRA should not be considered as a panacea for participatory development. Based on SNV's experience in implementing integrated rural development programmes in Ethiopia, the article explains how and why SNV had to develop its own participatory research and planning methodology (which combines PRA with other methods) to facilitate project work.