Resources

Large-scale participatory natural resource management programmes often include national governments, large NGOs and donor agencies as major actors. The scaling up of participation to include more people and places constantly challenges these large organisations to become flexible, innovative and transparent. More specifically, the emphasis on diversity, decentralisation and devolution of decision making powers in the management of natural resources for complex and dynamic livelihoods implies procedures and organisational cultures which do not impose "particiaption" from above through bureaucratic and standardised practices. Under what conditions can bureaucracies be refashioned or transformed to ensure that their outcomes (policies, programmes, resource allocation and projects) actually facilitate, rather than inhibit, participation and the adaptive management of natural resources? What is the impact of institutionalising participatory approaches on the social dynamics, livelihoods and well-being of low-income rural and urban groups and local organisations? To focus on these issues and questions, IIED and IDS have inititiated an action-oriented research project to examine the dynamics of institutionalising people-centred processes and participatory approaches for natural resource management in a variety of social and ecological contexts. This bibliography includes about 390 references and critical overviews on seven key themes. Theories of the organisational change for participation Towards learning organisations Gender and organisational change Transforming environmental knowledge and organisational cultures Nuturing enabling attitudes and behaviour Policies for participation Methods for institutional and impact analysis

Rapid changes are taking place in international development. The past two decades have promoted the ideals of participation and partnership, yet key decisions affecting people's lives continue to be made without sufficient attention to the socio-political realities of the countries in which they live. Embedded working traditions, vested interests and institutional inertia mean that old habits and cultures persist among the development community. On this premise, the authors of this book describe the need to recognise the complex, non-linear nature of development assistance and how bureaucratic procedures and power relations hinder poverty reduction in the new aid environment. The book begins with a conceptual and historical analysis of aid, exposing the challenges and opportunities facing aid professionals today. It argues for greater attention to accountability and the adoption of rights based approaches. In section two, practitioners, policymakers and researchers discuss the realities of power and relationships from their experiences across 16 countries. Their accounts, from government, donors and civil society, expose the highly politicised and dynamic aid environment in which they work. The book then explores ways forward for aid agencies, challenging existing political, institutional and personal ways of working. Breaking the barriers to ensure more inclusive aid will require visionary leadership and a courageous commitment to change. The authors show how translating rhetoric into practice relies on changing the attitudes and behaviours of individual actors. The book aims to present a contribution to the understanding of how development assistance and poverty reduction can be most effectively delivered by the professionals and agencies involved.