This article examines the CubatÒo Pollution Control Project (CPCP), carried out by Cetesb, the SÒo Paulo state environmental protection agency. It focuses on Cetesb strategy to involve the CubatÒo community in the CPCP with an unprecedented program of environmental education and community participation.
To improve results and image of development projects, methods for planning, management and advise are introduced for systematical use. On all levels of governmental and nongovernmental institutions a real boom of participatory methods was initiated. Most famous examples are ZOPP of the GTZ and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). However, there are several risks implied in this institutional decreed offensive of methods. The routine use of methods, which are intended to contribute to more flexibility and participatory counselling, may as well result in bureaucratic stiffness. Mechanical application and trasfer of methods by experts fails in using them effectively and realising the participatory integration of the target group.