Resources

The guide describes how training needs analysis, combined with in-depth institutional analysis, can help design a training programme. This includes suggestions for planning the logistical arrangements, course structure and content, and evaluations and revisions for the future.

This report presents the results of a study carried out in Sri Lanka to assess the impact of reforms on the management of government-owned irrigation schemes. The aims of the study were to test the proposed methodology and to determine what effects participatory management has on the performance of irrigation schemes in Sri Lanka. The report reviews government policies on irrigation management reforms and analyses the impact of reforms on the performance of 50 irrigation schemes in Sri Lanka. It looks first at the methodology used and then at the results in terms of impact, cost of irrigation to farmers, quality of irrigation service, impact on maintenance and agricultural production and economic returns.

This article describes the findings and effectiveness of the introduction of the PRA approach and methodology in the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ).

This article traces the origin of force field analysis, outlines steps for its use, and offers examples for its use in PRA. Its visual character, simplicity, suitability for group work and applicability in planning for change makes it a potential tool with wide application in PRA.

This article discusses how the new participatory approach of social network analysis (SNA) can be used to understand social capital (the quality of relationships among and between people). It also describes how strong social networks and capital can influence policy at the local level. Drawing from a case study in Nepal, it illustrates the use of SNA as a potential tool for participatory monitoring and evaluation.

This PLA series article provides snapshots from the international "Deepening our Understanding and Practice" conference on participatory development (PD). It offers critical reflections on the successes and failures of PD and also examines how participatory development can be advanced.

This report highlights key discussion points that emerged from a workshop on "Strengthening Participation in Local Governance". Conceptual issues around participation, governance, citizenship and decentralisation are discussed. Country presentations highlight various experiences in strengthening participation in local governance: these include looking at the context (particularly with respect to existing legal frameworks), the dynamics of participation, strategies and approaches that are employed to overcome barriers, and the key lessons and proposed ways forward for future research. Lessons and challenges from previous research as well as a summary of action plans for collaboration and future research are also presented.