Resources

Describes a short exercise designed to explore the potential uses of RRA/PRA for Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee [BRAC]. Divided into two major sections, the first is a general introduction to some of the most commonly used RRA/PRA techniques, while the second presents the findings of an attempt to use RRA methods to evaluate the performance of a BRAC-supported village deep tube-well group. Section one is based around a summary chart of the range of techniques "currently [in 1991] employed by RRA/PRA practitioners". Notes on each of these techniques expand on this chart and provide some useful advice and information on the application and procedure characterising each technique. The case study, described in section 2, was carried out by a team of 6 BRAC staff (none of whom had previously performed RRA) and facilitated by Mick Howes from the IDS. Two and a half days were spent on preliminary orientation and a further two and a half days in the field. Although a complete evaluation study of the performance of the village deep tube well group was not carried out during this period, a "number of potentially significant insights were generated" and the potential for RRA/PRA in operational and research work (including evaluation) within BRAC was emphasised.

The Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) promotes community participation in natural resource management. Here the monitoring process that comprised part of the general 'Participatory Rural Appraisal, Planning and Evaluation' (PRAPE) used in watershed management programs by the AKRSP in rural Gujarat is described. The participatory monitoring sequence involved: 1. Discussion with each farmer in his field. 2. Decisions as to the variables to be monitored with the farmer groups. 3. Ground mapping of base line and impact maps. 4. Paper mapping, mainly through symbols. 5. Presentation of these findings to the watershed outlet groups. 6. Aggregation of the information collected, followed by preparation of aggregate maps. 7. Presentation of the findings to the village community. 8. And finally, the "generation of technology domains and adaptation to village circumstances" The major strengths and advantages of the "dynamic process" of participatory monitoring in projects concerned with natural resource management include; greater clarification of indicators which might otherwise be difficult to measure; the lowering of costs of development programmes in the villages; and eventually (it is hoped) the full internalisation of these methodologies within the village communities. A valuable, but brief, summary of an effective participatory monitoring process using PRA techniques in the field.

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 report is about innovative ways of strengthening local governance in India. Drawing from various case studies, the conceptual underpinnings of participation in local governance are highlighted. In particular, the report explores the potential of community-based indicators and social auditing techniques to help India to work from below. It highlights techniques that enhance local governance through participation, while examining where techniques work in encouraging participative local governance and why. The authors recognise a huge 'scaling-up' challenge and acknowledge the need for robust guidelines to help new practitioners choose and use appropriate participatory techniques that might play a part in changing governance in India.

This book is a collection of writings by evaluation professionals working in South Asia and aims to analyse and document the status of, and challenges for, development evaluation in this region.  It covers three critical dimensions of making evaluation matter in development processes and change in South Asia: context, methods, and use.  Drawing on a depth of experience from across the region it explores how the South Asian context influences the methods that are appropriate for evaluating policies, programs and projects, and the challenges to having evaluation findings used to influence and bring about change. Purchase details from Sage India.