Resources

The thesis analyses the potential of PRA to empower communities in the development process. The research is based on a literature review that includes both theoretical literature and project documents and evaluations. It discusses the emergence of empowerment as an issue in development, and looks at why it has been so difficult to achieve in practice. The empowering potential of PRA is then discussed in the context of a case study from urban Pakistan. It is concluded that PRA "can be a potent tool in empowering communities but this will not happen automatically".

This brief paper is a write up of the experiences of an evaluation team using PRA tools in an impact evaluation of a community based programme providing drinking water (a MYRADA project in Mysore District, Karnataka State, India). The impact evaluation took place over only two days, but, as the paper highlights, some very pertinent lessons resulted from the experience. Six main tools from the 'PRA bag' were used in the evaluation: 'water system map', 'focus group discussions', 'time allocation drawing', 'seasonality of disease', 'individual interviews' and 'observation walk'. On the basis of these methods (and patient facilitation work by the PRA team), it was revealed that the any first impressions of a 'perfect' drinking water system were, in fact, unfounded. Serious (but rectifiable) flaws in the project - in terms of efficiency and equity of access - were exposed and, as a result, the local community became involved in identifying some remedial actions. This extremely useful, and clearly written, paper concludes with a frank discussion of some of the problems with the use of PRA tools, which according to the author, primarily stem from a poor understanding of group dynamics and good facilitation techniques.

The understanding of children's roles in the household, how work loads are shared and how they alter over time and with different socio-economic and environmental conditions is crucial for development. Gender issues are important, and an understanding of both gender and children should be built into projects and policy. Children's work has not often been considered in planning development initiatives. The first section provides a background to this before moving onto the background to the fieldwork conducted in Nepal and a description of the area. Environmental issues and their effects on children are illustrated using flow diagrams, maps and historical analysis. The role of children is highlighted in a framework of caste/ ethnicity, poverty and gender which affects control over resources and decisions. Different perceptions are examined using seasonal calenders, activity matrices and mobility diagrams. Throughout the study participatory methods were used, in addition to a basic questionnaire, and the methodology is highlighted in the appendix. The report concludes with six "steps forward", providing practical leads for policy and action. It is stressed that this report is not an end in itself but rather a first step towards development in which children are given a voice.

A training workshop was conducted for staff of programme in order to expose them to the use of participatory techniques. There is an introduction to the use of PRA methods, and to the preparations for the workshops. The emphasis was on experiential learning, with morning classroom sessions and afternoon fieldwork followed by feedback sessions with the villagers. Various techniques were identified as being of use for different components of the project, although the emphasis was on the use and sequencing of techniques, which were often conducted at speed. It was recommended that a follow up workshop be conducted after a period of use in the field, in order to share experiences, and that some trainers could be identified. There was a feeling that more time was needed to practice PRA techniques, although there was comment that these might be standardised in the future.

The KIDP is a long term project aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the population, in a sustainable way. This report details the findings of PRA work carried out to assess the impact of tourism in the area, an "industry" which is rapidly increasing. There is a brief description of the methodology and timetable, but the bulk of the report is the findings from the different areas studied. These include a general description, land use and housing as well as the impact of tourism on the economy, infrastructure, culture and the environment. Numerous diagrams are illustrated, as well as the findings from a questionnaire survey of local shops and hotels. These findings are summarised in the final section.

This report is of an RRA training workshop which was carried out in one of the pilot sites of the Bhutan-German Integrated Forest Management Project in Wangdi District, Bhutan, in 1995. The first part of the report outlines the purpose and approach of the different methods, and how they were used in the field. They included mapping, transects, semi-structured interviewing and focus group interviews, seasonal calendars, tree ranking, institutional diagramming, wealth/well-being ranking, 'vision-drawing' by children, and problem ranking. The results were then presented at a feedback meeting with municipality representatives. The second part of the report presents the findings of the RRA.

In order to attempt to improve the sustainable management of agricultural resources and reduce external inputs, an attempt was made to create a method for monitoring farmers use of resources. This was also used to monitor changes made to the farming system, providing an integrated analysis of livestock, forestry, aquaculture and crops. Maps and transects were used, with bioresource flow modelled between enterprises and resource types. Inputs and flows are recorded. At the start and end of each season farmers come together to discuss their records, which are also recorded by scientists who introduce new ideas for management. Analysis over time allows farmers to monitor changes in their farm system with changes in management. More time series analysis is felt by the scientists to be needed.