Resources

151 - 165 of 293 items

Guidelines for Training in Rapid Appraisal for Agroforestry Research and Extension

Authors: 
Abel, N.
et al.
1989

Abstract

This guide is for training research and extension personnel in rapid appraisal for development of agroforestry in peasant land use systems. The introduction outlines the training course and the key principles underlying the methods used: learning by interaction with farmers, experiential learning, interdisciplinarity and an understanding of the conflicts over access to productive resources. The remaining chapters follow a course outline, including briefings and background talks on agroforestry, activities involving secondary information review and analysis of social and environmental change. Section 3 presents workshops on RRA methods researching with farmers, including interviews, resource classification, soil characterisation vegetation surveys, land use mapping, and erosion hazard mapping. Sections 4 and 5 discusses agroforestry interventions, how to appraise, plan, and consult with farmers. The guide is illustrated throughout with material from Zimbabwe, and is presented in a systematic and accessible manner.

Publisher

Procurement and Disbursement Manual for Projects with Community Participation

Authors: 
Gopal, G.
1995

Abstract

The manual presents commonly used procedures for procurement and disbursement in World Bank-financed projects, and shows they are more suited for large investment projects rather than projects with community participation. The manual provides guidance to project designers on designing procurement, disbursement and accounting mechanisms for Bank financed projects with community participation. There is a checklist of issues and steps in designing procurement and disbursement, and discussion of the various procurement methods permissible under existing World Bank policies and regulations. Part II describes the key steps involved in designing such projects, providing guidelines with references to World Bank financed projects in the Africa region. It addresses issues commonly encountered by Task Managers, with relevant checklists. Samples are also provided.

Publisher

World Bank

Washington D.C., USA
http://web.worldbank.org

The Contribution of People's Participation: Evidence from 121 Rural Water Supply Projects

Authors: 
Narayan, D.

Abstract

Field observations have led many people to believe that beneficiary participation in decision making can contribute greatly to the success of development projects. When people influence or control the decisions that affect them, they have a greater stake in the outcome and will work harder to ensure success. But the evidence supporting this reasoning is qualitative so that many practictioners remain skeptical. Three questions need to be addressed: to what degree does participation contribute to project effectiveness? which beneficiary and agency characteristics foster the process? and, if participation does benefit project outcomes, how can it be encouraged through policy and project design? To answer these questions, researchers studied evaluations of 121 completed rural water supply projects in forty-nine developing countries around the world. The results show that beneficiary participation contributes significantly to project effectiveness, even after statistically controlling for the effects of 17 other factors. The basic conclusion of this study is that rural water projects must be fundamentally redesigned in order to reach the one billion rural poor who lack a sustainable water supply. Redesign must encompass a shift from supply-driven planning to demand-responsive, participatory approaches to ensure beneficiary participation, control, and ownership.

Classroom observations and participatory learning for action activities : a view to the experiences of girls.

Authors: 
Sey, Haddy
VanBelle-Prouty, Diane

Abstract

A draft copy of a manual which seeks to address some of the factors causing low attendance, performance and participation of girls at school, by providing a means by which those involved in education can analyse interactions in the classroom, examine how instruction is differentiated by gender and identify gender-bounded attitudes and perceptions that influence learning , opportunities and achievement.
The first part of the manual describes techniques which can be used by teachers and inspectors to observe what takes place in the classroom as a basis for discussion and the second part concerns how Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) activities can build on this.

"Inspite of the rains, the ground is still dry" : the Ghana Participatory Poverty Assessment studies; impacts, implications and lessons for the future.

Authors: 
Agyarko, Robert deGraft
1997

Abstract

This dissertation argues that the Ghana Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA) was successful methodologically, in terms of obtaining the views of the poor concerning their priorities and strategies to combat poverty. However, in spite of the exercise receiving wide international attention, the results have yet to be accepted as a relevant data source within Ghana itself, owing to a strong preference for statistical data in social policy research.

PRA: a tool for community capacity building?

Authors: 
Eaton, Chris
1996

Abstract

Brief note on results of internal evaluation regarding the use of PRA by The Community Action Programme in Uganda. In the programme trained community facilitators used PRA techniques with partner communities to develop micro-projects. The report outlines some of the short-comings of the facilitation process based on the results of a survey of a random sample of the partner communities. The survey examined, attendance by men and women of PRA sessions, PRA tools remembered by participants and aspects learnt, the relationship between men and women's main problems and the final choice of micro-project and their level of agreement with it.

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