Resources

This document is a report of a national level study to study poor people's reality carried out using Participatory Rapid Rural (PRRA) techniques in over seventy villages and slums in both rural and urban locations. The report details the methodology used which included, the listing of problems, ranking, analysing and identification of those "doable".
The results are reported, with inter-community comparisons being made using a prioritised problem Index of Poor communities (PPIP).

This paper outlines how PRA can be of value to the policy making process by drawing on practical examples from around the world. The paper argues that not only is PRA important in providing poor people with a voice but that it can also challenge the perceptions, behaviours and attitudes of those in authority. The paper warns of the dangers of rapid scaling up of PRA.

Overview of the history of PPAs in social policy analysis, this introduction identifies how PPAs have differed from conventional approaches to poverty analysis and the new understandings that PPAs are contributing to the study of povery related issues. PPAs are discussed as part of the growing family of participatory approaches and details are given of their basic components.

In collaboration with Shinyanga Regional government, UNDP is funding a pilot project on decentralised poverty eradication initiatives, as part of its programme support for Tanzania (1997 - 2002). This document reports on a participatory poverty assessment (PPA) carried out in eight villages in phase I of the project. The PPA went one stage further than earlier PPAs in sub-Sahara Africa in that it sought not only to enrich poverty profiles with local understanding but also to build in as a central component, action-oriented research and planning. An attempt was also made to make the PPA a locally owned activity and capacity building process. An overview of the process methodology is provided, a brief account of the findings and also a review of the impact to date of the whole Shinyanga Human Development Report process at village and government level.

In spite of children and young people being involved in many aspects of community life, social policy in the UK often neglects their interests. This book argues that contrary to conventional adult wisdom children and young people are competent to take part in collective decision making and that it is essential that they do so. Practical examples from Save the Children's work are provided to show ways in which children and young people can be encouraged to participate and have a real say in how things are done.