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Introduction
Abstract
This book is the outcome of a workshop on participation organised by Duryog Nivaran, a South-Asian network of individuals and organisations concerned with large scale disruptions in society due either to natural disasters or conflicts. This introductory chapter gives a glimpse of papers included in the above book. The papers come from a group who have not only encountered the notion of participation in different capacities but have also understood it in different ways. Four of the seven papers included in the book look at participation primarily in the context of development and development projects; two of the papers look at the link between participation and political process at the macro level and raise questions about the relationship between development projects and political processes in wider society. Finally, one paper attempts to straddle these two worlds. The book contends that it is important to promote healthy critical debates on the concept and the experience of participation in various contexts. However, the emergence of participation as a new development orthodoxy needs to be questioned.
Publisher
Duryog Nivaran/KONARK Publishers
Making It Happen: A User's Guide To The Neighbourhood Action Packs
Abstract
Neighbourhood Action Packs have been developed with the help of 'professionals' and other 'local experts', to facilitate decision-making about the neighbourhood. They can be used to work out step by step what has to be done and who is best placed to do it, drawing on the knowledge of 'experts' of both kinds. This guide explains the methodology underlying the approach and some of the applications in the Neighbourhood Action Packs. These concern relations between locals and council or government representatives, education for neighbourhood change in schools, finding out about local needs and resources, doing local research and planning action. The Neighbourhood Action Packs are aimed at 'northern' country settings, but most of the issues involved are common to other settings as well.
Publisher
ActionAid-Pakistan: Annual Progress Report, January to December 1992
Abstract
This report gives an overview of the work of ActionAid-Pakistan in 1992. The general section on programme work notes that a process is envisaged where PRA is used to facilitate the initial introduction to a community, leading to preliminary ideas from which to begin immediate entry point activities, to provide a basis for developing the programme further. An example is given of a PRA study whose aims were to elicit information about an area unfamiliar to staff and to develop understanding between ActionAid and the communities. The benefits of undertaking the introductory PRA are elaborated, which included community participation in project choice and facilitation of communication of ActionAid's ideas about proposed projects to villagers. The report includes a description of the programme area, local problems defined in the PRA and the initial programme objectives. The need to develop community management structures and monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure continuing community involvement is elaborated.
Publisher
ActionAid, Pakistan
Community planning handbook
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Abstract
This handbook provides an overview of new methods of community planning within the context of the built environment. It is based on the recognition that local involvement in the planning and management of the environment is the best way to ensure safe, strong and sustainable communities and that this is applicable throughout the world. It is laid out in a straightforward, jargon-free format that reflects its aim of being of use to individuals and residents as well as policy makers and practitioners. After a general introduction there is an A-Z of general principles, followed by the biggest section, an A-Z of 53 Community Planning Methods that runs from Action Planning Event to Video Soapbox. A selection of scenarios follows, covering some common development situations and illustrating ways in which the different methods can be combined in an overall strategy. It ends with lists of useful formats and checklists, publications and contacts.
Publisher
Earthscan Publications Ltd.
A learning process: community exchanges
Abstract
This edition of 'Dialogue', the magazine of Homeless International, focuses on community exchanges as a learning process. These have been transformed into practices that have begun to change the way that development in informal settlements takes place. South-South exchanges have been important in this respect, and knowledge is now being shared in the UK through North-South exchange. The magazine looks at some of the exchanges that have taken place in more depth, as well giving some govenments perspectives on working in partnership.
Handbooks for Community Based Organisations
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Abstract
This folder, produced by the Jamaican Social Investment Fund, consists of seven short handbooks on CBOs . They are the result of observation of many Jamaican CBOs and they seek to address some of the common problems addressed by these organisations. These practical handbooks cover a number of topics: 1 The Community Based Organisation: looks at issues such as what a CBO is, how to get started, membership types, CBO structure, how to encourage new people, principles of evaluation and accountability, and registration. 2 Leadership and Motivation: here several issues are considered such as who the organisation belongs to, the constitution, job descriptions, meetings, how to stimulate creativity, building consensus and decision making, delegating and dealing with conflict. 3 Money Management and Fundraising: this handbook looks at the role of the Treasurer, the types of funds needed, different ways to raise funds, budgeting, accounting, financial reports, audit, credit and investment. 4 Planning Community Projects: various issues are considered such as developing a vision, identifying priorities, analysing the problem, analysing resources, analysing the past, analysing alternative solutions, analysing risk, planning activities and writing project proposals 5 Implementing Community Projects: this handbook takes the community project further by addressing implementation challenges, identifying beneficiaries, mobilising people to provide services, detailing the action plan, identifying the best time for implementation and monitoring of the project. 6 Evaluation of Community Projects: the issues around evaluating projects are looked at in this handbook and include questions such as why evaluate, who should evaluate, what should be evaluated and how should it be done. Evaluating people, planning and reporting are also addressed. 7 CBO Publicity and Networking; this last handbook looks at promoting the image the CBO through newsletters, press releases, presentations and by phone then goes on to consider communication in meetings, invitations and requests, and representation outside the community.
Publisher
The Fund
Community-led regeneration handbook
Abstract
This handbook is a practical guide for residents, professionals and all those involved in Estate Regeneration. It features 5 success stories of Estate Regeneration in Plymouth, London, Liverpool, Walsall and Bradford, written by resident leaders with first hand experience of transforming their Estate. It also contains simple to follow guidance by experienced professionals and voluntary experts on key issues (eg. rural regeneration, crime and drugs prevention, jobs and training, funding, management, New Deal for Communities, partnerships), as well as useful basic information and a contact short list. It is widely recognised that the residents are not the problem but the key to the solution. This book illustrates that theory, and helps turn it into good and successful practice.
Publisher
CNHC
International workshop on participatory planning approaches for local governance, Bandung, Indonesia, 20-27 January 2002 [workshop report]
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Abstract
This workshop report is a source of case study material and group discussions by practitioners of participatory planning (PP) for local governance (LG) from around the world, useful to practitioners and students of PP. The first section is an overview of approaches to PP and a framework for analysing power dynamics in PP, followed by participant questions and debate. Participants from Bolivia, South Africa and Indonesia gave presentations on their experiences of PP in LG, which provide interesting comparative material on the legal and institutional contexts and the operational, cultural and attitudinal challenges. Further input on the Indonesia experience comes later in the report in the write-up of the field visits organised for this workshop by the Indonesian Partnership for Local Governance Initiatives. Participants identified key cross-cutting themes and issues: changing habits to make PP happen (attitude and behaviour), Citizen participation in PP (who participates?), Frameworks for PP (laws, regulations), Resource mobilisation and organisation for local plans, Skills and capacity for PP (both in LG and communities), and Power relations in PP. Finally, discussions focused on sustainability and innovation in PP, and the spread, scale and quality of these processes. Feedback is tabled under 'dangers' and 'actions'. The report has several annexes with lists of participants, activities, case write-ups and evaluations.
Overview: decentralisation and participatory planning
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Abstract
This overview introduces the concept of community-based planning (CBP) looking back at its development and how it has evolved in the light of an increased emphasis on decentralisation in many countries during the 1980s and 90s. In this context it also considers the relevance of community-driven development models, including participatory poverty analysis, being promoted by parts of the World Bank over the last five to ten years, which typically have included a CBP component. It looks at the end uses of CBP in integrated development planning and sectoral planning; in promoting community action and control over development; and to comply with policy or legislation for public participation in planning. It examines approaches and methodologies, with the use of PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) methods; the role of facilitators and training; community managed funds; accountability, monitoring and evaluation; and linkages to local government and higher-level planning. It evaluates the impacts of CBP on different policy levels, the quality of services and community participation and action. The future development of CBP is discussed with a need for an increased effectiveness and widening of the approach. It concludes by linking the topics discussed with the following articles of pla notes 49.
Publisher
International Institute for Environment and Development
Linking the community to local government: action research in four African countries
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Abstract
This paper introduces the work of the project introduces the work on the project Action Research on Community-Based Planning (CBP), providing both the background to the topic and findings after two years. How community involvement in planning and management can link to decentralised delivery systems has formed the basis of this DFID funded action research project covering Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and South Africa. The CBP project was developed as a response to two challenges: an analysis of the institutional issues in trying to implement a sustainable livelihoods approach; and a realisation of the limitations of efforts to promote decentralisation, where these concentrated on local government itself, and not also on how local government serves citizens. The paper begins by looking at the challenges of implementing a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach on micro (community) and macro (local government) levels. It goes on to describe the purpose and approach of the action research on community based planning project. An approach was adopted addressing all the focuses of CBP in a manner that is implementable and sustainable using the resources available to local governments and in local communities. The principles underlying this approach to CBP are described together with the main challenges of the approach. The core methodology of the approach involved the use of a variety of PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal)/PLA (Participatory learning and Action) tools, combined in a three to five day strategic process. In the first year of piloting two million people were covered by the methodology. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges of upscaling CBP projects.
Publisher
International Institute for Environment and Development
Experiences of CBP [community-based planning] in South Africa
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Abstract
This article outlines the overall approach to community based planning (CBP) in South Africa ( part of DFID funded action research project covering Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and South Africa) as well as some of the experiences of using CBP in Mangaug Municipality in South Africa, one of the early partners in the project. The article takes this further, describing this experience in some detail, as well as the lessons that have been learnt as CBP has been rolled out to eight municipalities during 2003-4. It explains participatory structures within municipalities focusing on the role of Ward Committees; the legal basis for participation; and CBP in the context of the planning system in South Africa. It goes on to describe the application of CBP grated development plans (IDPs) in Mangaug depicting the planning methodology and evaluating the initial results on ward committees, municipal integrated development plans and service provision. Community empowerment, ownership of the ward development agenda and processes, and shift towards local development initiatives in the municipal IDP, were some of the main initial results. The Mangaug project led to a national workshop held in 2002 where a national steering committee was established to scale up the experience. The elements in scaling up included the establishment a national coalition of government, donors, municipalities and service providers; developing methodological guidelines; piloting; training of facilitators; and securing resources. Emphasis was also put on strengthening the linkages between CBP and IDP. Finally some of the key lessons are summarised, together with comments by project facilitators and the future of the project.
Publisher
International Institute for Environment and Development
Experiences of CBP [community-based planning] from Uganda
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Abstract
This article gives account of experiences from a community based planning (CBP) project in Uganda, which was part of DFID funded action research project covering Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and South Africa. After a steering group was formed, a review of the diverse approaches to CBP applied in Uganda was commissioned and a national workshop was held to discuss the lessons emerging form the study. Some of the issues that emerged included difficulties in the currently employed PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) methods to identify root causes of problems such as poverty, and rarely address issues such as gender, environment or HIV/AIDS; lack of coordination in planning approaches; CBP was used mainly for voicing the need of lower level stakeholders and rarely used for community mobilisation, identification of opportunities, or influencing local decision making; and planning with local governments remained highly sectoral. To begin the development of a CBP approach on to lower level local government planning in Uganda, it was decided to pilot the approach in the Bushenyi district. The article describes the initial experiences in Bushenyi and the creation of national guidelines for CBP. It goes on to look at innovations in the use of participatory methodologies in the CBP programme and lessons learnt, such as a shift towards a vision-based focus to complement the needs-based approach; a new emphasis on lower level participatory planning; planning based on interest groups; involvement of non-council stakeholders; harmonisation with local government budget frameworks. Finally, visions for the future development of CBM in Uganda are shared.
Publisher
International Institute for Environment and Development
Planning with the area council: experience with CBP [community-based planning] in Ghana
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Abstract
The concept and practice of participatory planning is not new in Ghana, however the link to the national planning system is either weak or non-existent. This article highlights the experiences of two projects which aim to deepen community participation in planning and link it to the existing planning system of the country. It also discusses GhanaÆs experience in planning at the sub-district level, reviewing approaches by the communities, NGOs, project interventions, etc.; and outlines GhanaÆs local government system, CBP (community based planning), and the way forward. It describes the application of CBP in Ghana with experiences from a project which was part of DFID funded action research project covering Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and South Africa, where GhanaÆs experiences of participatory planning processes were reviewed and a steering committee established. The councils, New Edubiase and Morso/Kuofa, were chosen to host a CBM pilot project which proved successful. The second project was the Village Infrastructure Project (VIP) which aimed to empower local communities to manage infrastructure investments; increase local access to development resources; strengthen institutional capacity at community level; and support government strategies for decentralisation. The article goes on to look at some of the innovations in the use of participatory methodologies used in the projects, and lessons learned. It concludes with some recommendations for future CBP in Uganda such as reactivating the council as an appropriate level for managing community driven development (CDD); harmonisation of CBP and CDD approaches; the need for promotion of CBP within the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; and the institutionalisation of an experienced CBP steering committee.
Publisher
International Institute for Environment and Development
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