Resources

In the U.M.P. Communal Lands and Mudzi District Agricultural Development Projects in Zimbabwe, informal surveys based on RRA methods (e.g. semi-structured interviews), and seminars on sustainable agriculture, were used to identify and analyse the major constraints on agricultural production in the project areas. The paper includes reflections on the methods used and the quality of results. After setting up a problem tree together with farmers, activities were suggested to tackle prioritised problem areas. Experience shows that this approach is useful as a first step in project planning. Recommendations are made to improve the process and enhance farmer participation.

This proposal relates to a workshop on collaboration between NGOs and research institutes promoting sustainable agriculture in East Africa. It explains the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the role of NGOs and public sector institutions in developing appropriate approaches. The workshop focused on participatory research and institutional collaboration. The proposal outlines the workshop activities aimed at accomplishing these objectives, which centred on communication/networking, collaboration and training in participatory approaches.

This article discusses opportunities for NGOs to work towards sustainable development in Africa. NGOs can facilitate strengthening institutional capacities at the local level. But NGO effectiveness can be constrained by the need for autonomy and government need for control; problems of scaling up and confusion over appropriate roles. The article addresses these issues in the context of two case studies of NGO activity: an environmental NGO in Zimbabwe and a PRA approach in Kenya involving international and national NGOs and the Kenyan government. it suggests that NGOs can be more effective if they move from a project orientation to an enabling role. They must also move beyond individual agendas and established roles to identify new approaches to local development and resource management which increase their capacities for flexible, innovative action.

This paper discusses the experiences of ActionAid (India) in providing PRA support to various government agencies in Madhya Pradesh, India. Their involvement with forestry, administration and education departments is described. The author offers summaries of the varying status of institutionalisation of PRA. The informal and formal processes of feedback are critical to implementation and sustainability. Perceptions of field staff are central to feedback. Informally elicited perceptions are discussed. Error should be embraced and sharing encouraged. Personal commitment of staff, resource persons and institutions are also identified as important.

This handbook discusses the basic definitions and principles of M&E, including where, why and how evaluation is carried out, and a detailed examination of what qualities are possessed by both good and bad indicators. There is an in-depth discussion of the functions of community based M&E and a list of 'ten steps' is provided to guide in developing and supporting a community based M&E system. Each steps is examined and illustrated with reference to a project in in India. There is also a list of do's and dontÆs in supporting a community based M&E system and a discussion of links that can exist between the M&E systems of an agency such as an NGO and that of a community based organisation. The paper concludes with a discussion of how M&E fits into the project cycle and the importance of fostering the right attitudes towards M&E practice is emphasised.

This paper makes the case for conducting Participatory Poverty Assessments (PPAs) and sets out a methodology for conducting them. PPAs have the following principal elements: a poverty profile (which analyses the depth, social and cultural nature, gender disparities and geographic spread of poverty); a review of current government policies relating to poverty; an overview of NGOs and community-based organisations working towards the alleviation of poverty; an analysis of the safety nets (both government programs and sociocultural mechanisms) in place; and, based on the above, a suggested country strategy of priority measures the government should take to reduce poverty. The section on methodology discusses interviews, focus groups, participant observation, institutional assessment, mapping, ranking and triangulation as important techniques. The paper concludes with a timetable for setting up and conducting a PPA.

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.