Resources

121 - 135 of 884 items

What does Participatory Development Mean in practice? Some Lessons from an Integrated Rural Development Project in KwaZulu

Authors: 
Friedman, M.
Pollett, E.
1991

Abstract

There are several analyses of community participation in the literature on rural development, which define what is meant by participation and what it is for. South African analyses are rare. This paper reflects critically on one particular project experience in rural Bantustan in South Africa. The paper briefly defines what is meant by participation, with a focus on the practical implications of these meanings. The remainder of the paper explores some of the reasons for the practical difficulties of implementing a 'participatory' approach, with reference to a case study of one integrated rural development project. The project aimed to address the problems of land degradation, poverty and unemployment. The establishment and evolution of the project are described in sections on planning, pilot trials and demonstrations, interaction with development agencies and political liaison, pilot project implementation and sponsor dynamics, the changing role of the research institution and the establishment if a rural service centre. The paper concludes That what participation means and what participation is possible with what types of social organisation are influenced by many variables, including 'outside' actors, particularly as in this example, the research institute had its own goals in implementing the project.

Publisher

Process Documentation: Social Science Research in a Learning Process Approach to Program Development

Authors: 
de los Reyes, R.

Abstract

This booklet contains two papers. The first concerns process documentation, a tool for providing an action agency that adopts a new intervention strategy with continuous information about activities in a few project sites and the problems and issues emerging from the field activities. The information provided then becomes a major source for identifying strategies of field implementation, policy directions and can help reorient the agency to a new mode of working with clients. To illustrate, the paper discusses the use of process documentation in efforts by the National Irrigation Administration to organise farmer-users of small scale irrigation systems into viable irrigation associations. The second paper (by J. Volante) discusses the role of participant observation in process documentation research. It discusses the steps and procedures in accomplishing participant observation work during pre-field, fieldwork and writing phases of research, giving tips for good participant observation.

Publisher

Report of the Joint Participatory Evaluation of Society for People Education and Economic Change (SPEECH) and The Activists for Social Alternatives (ASA)

Authors: 
D'Abreo, D.A.
1991

Abstract

This report concerns participatory evaluations of two Indian NGOs "by the grassroots people themselves". The reasons for undertaking this form of evaluation are discussed, together with the expectations of the organisations involved: Society for People Education and Economic Change (SPEECH), Activists for Social Alternatives (ASA) and Oxfam (India), with whom both NGOs have close contacts. Ten phases of evaluation process are outlined, the questions and issues discussed are presented, and the process of evaluation is documented. The bulk of the report (Chs. 1 and 2) report the results of the two evaluations. A final chapter reports reflections on the participatory evaluations by the evaluators and the external resource person from Oxfam. Annexes include discussions of key aspects of the training of evaluators (including trust building, listening and communication skills, and situation analysis).

Participation and Sustainability: The Case of the Adaptive Research Planning Team in Zambia

Authors: 
D÷bel, R.
1995

Abstract

The Adaptive Research Planning Team (ARPT) was established to enhance the productionist approach to farming systems research within the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia. It has moved towards working with farmer research groups in participatory modes, using R/PRA. Also, a continuous institutional self-review process and the incorporation of nutritionists have led ARPT to assume a farmer advocacy role, concerned with the sustainability of production systems, under the heading 'household food security'. This paper describes these changes and the institutional resistance these changes had to face. Resistance came largely from commodity scientists and senior research management within the Ministry's Research Branch. It is attributed to a productionist orientation and resentment of APRT's preferential treatment by foreign donors. This raises the question of institutional sustainability of the new approaches within the framework of established institutions.

ASA's Experience in New Villages

Authors: 
Activists for Social Alternatives

Abstract

This report provides one answer to the question: Is it possible to do PRA in a totally new area? PRA was tried in 25 new villages in Tamilnadu, India, from which Activists for Social Alternatives (an Indian NGO) answer the question positively. Moreover, they were more relaxed there. They walked into a village and introduced themselves. A group convened in a Panchayat building and mapping of the village began. Village history was discussed. Trends in food, cropping and livestock rearing were discussed. Finally, seasonality was discussed. On the second day the map was used to discuss health issues and wealth ranking. The experience was relaxed for the facilitators because of being relieved of the teachers' role. Additional attention to the selection of informants must be paid. The participation of youngsters in the exercises gives hope for continuing work with the village.

Appropriate Methodology for Development Research

Authors: 
Belshaw, D.
1976

Abstract

This paper discusses two related questions: Are research results usable? Are the data actually used in decision-making? Both are determined by the researcher's choice of research methodology. The links between choice of research methodology and the application of results is discussed through a simple conceptual model. A satisfactory link requires a decision to allocate part of research capacity to the evaluation of previous research. To demonstrate the difficulties involved in rigorous analysis, a case study of ten years of research for agricultural development in three East African countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) is reviewed. Deficiencies in agricultural planning and in applied research for agricultural development are discussed in detail. The causes of ineffective applied research are viewed as lying in scientific culture. An example of applied research with implemented solutions is given, emphasising the benefits of participant research and management procedures for planning.

Publisher

Participative Rural Appraisal and Participatory Learning Methods: Recent Experiences from MYRADA and South India

Authors: 
Mascarenhas, J.
1990

Abstract

This report presents the participatory methodologies and methods used by MYRADA, an NGO working in South India. Avoiding the terms 'rapid' and 'appraisal', it prefers to use the term Participatory Learning Method (PALM). The key principles and applications of PALM are outlined, and a typical PALM training exercise introduced. This involves village camps, during which a series of interactions occur between villagers and outsiders which lead to an enhanced and shared understanding of complex rural situations. The process of a village camp and the conduct of PALM are described, and a range of PALM/PRA methods listed. the final section discusses potential extensions of PALM. These include the applications of PALM/PRA methods to new topics, development of new methods, removing outsiders from the exercises, learning how to handle dominant participants, and sequencing interactions. The key lesson emphasised is that villagers have much more knowledge and are better able to express it than they are normally given credit for. Villagers are increasingly becoming PALM resource persons.

Participatory Development Methodologies in Africa

Authors: 
McEwan, M.
1990

Abstract

This report is a review of the different participatory methodologies used in development throughout Africa. It includes overviews of the literature on participatory development, and participation in agriculture and natural resource management, forestry, health, credit, literacy, water, and urban programming. Numerous methodologies are outlined (e.g. animation rurale, auto-evaluation, GRAAP, Theatre for Development, RRA etc.). ACORD's experience with participatory methodologies in Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda and Sudan are discussed in detail. There are annotated bibliographies on ACORD and key general publications relating to participatory methodologies, and lists of key institutions.

Publisher

ACORD

London, UK
http://

Programme and Background Papers for Workshop on PRAP

Authors: 
AKRSP
1990

Abstract

These papers discuss the experience of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP India) with participatory rural appraisal and planning (PRAP). The first contribution documents the adoption of RRA by AKRSP in 1988 and its subsequent applications by staff to a variety of topics. Since then, experience has led to shortening and intensification of RRA contacts with villagers and increasing involvement of villagers as team members. PRAP has become related to the production of village action plans. The paper contains reflections on the use of RRA in the organisation - the term has been loosely used and training relatively unstructured. In taking stock of their experience with PRAP, a list was compiled of all exercises conducted and their characteristics (given in Annex 2). It is suggested that PRAP should be integrated into AKRSP's work in a more structured manner, to facilitate future planning. the second contribution consists of guidelines for using RRA in the AKRSP context. This includes rationale for its use, objectives, methodology, exploratory RRAs, and topical RRAs.

Participatory Mapping and Modelling

Authors: 
Chambers, Robert
1990

Abstract

This paper presents four experiences of NGO's in India with mapping and modelling techniques used in PRA exercises. These were done as part of programmes relating to natural resources, watershed management, PRA training and tank and catchment rehabilitation. Each exercise is described and its successful features commented on. Following these descriptions are discussions of the relative merits of using the ground or paper for mapping, and a list of do's and don'ts in mapping and modelling. The paper ends with observations and reflections on mapping and modelling, including: who maps or models? exercises as catalysts, questions raised by these techniques (e.g. diverse perceptions of reality among participants, robustness in comparison to government styles etc.), and the future scope of these methods.

Soft-Systems Methodology for Action Research: The Role of a College Farm in an Agricultural Education Institution

Authors: 
Packham, R.
Ison, R.
Roberts, R.
1988

Abstract

This paper concerns the use of action research within a research institute both to meet immediate objectives of the staff and to learn about the research methodology. In a situation characterised by decreased funding and curriculum reform based on the concepts of experiential learning, the Checkland soft-systems methodology was adopted to manage a change in the role of university farms using a consensus approach. Two outcomes of the research process were (i) improvement in financial returns in the farms, a better working climate and greater use of farms in experiential education, and (ii) the researchers learned about the methodology and how it is able to accommodate purposeful behaviour and issues of power. Following description of the initial situation, the paper outlines the steps involved in applying the soft-systems methodology to that situation.

A Brief Paper on the DSS and EDM's Joint Project in Relation to the Application of PRA: An Experience of Bangladesh.

Authors: 
Patwary, W.
1994

Abstract

This report concerns the Rural Family and Child Welfare Project (RFCWP) of the NGO Enfants du Monde (EDM) in Bangladesh. It is largely concerned with the introduction of participatory processes and institutional changes in the RCFWP. Formerly, conventional survey research methods were used with many shortcomings (cost, time, etc.), so new methods were introduced. Focus group discussions were conducted. ZOPP was used, but found to be overly sophisticated and did not address participation. PRA was later included in field training of beneficiaries, village institutions and project staff, as well as for monitoring and evaluation. PRA methods were used for an internal self-evaluation. Questions of attitude and behavioural change were also brought up, and PRA came to be seen as part of the move towards participation in the whole project cycle. Reflections on the need for changes in the RFCWP are listed. There are also reflections on the limitations of PRA, including: tendency for it to be technique driven; staff determine relevant and accepted knowledge; individual interests may distort data collection; summarizing by outsiders may lead to misrepresentation and so on.

Shortcut and Participatory Methods for Gaining Social Information for Projects

Authors: 
Chambers, Robert
1990

Abstract

This chapter argues that putting people first in rural development is a necessary condition for good performance of projects. Social information has a key role to play in this. In conventional development approaches, things have been put before people, poorer people have been neglected, conventional social investigation methods have not been cost-effective, and information is owned by outsiders. The pitfalls and biases of conventional methods are discussed in depth. Rapid and participatory methods have potential to avoid these defects. Five basic principles common to RA are outlined: optimising trade-offs, offsetting biases, triangulation, learning with and from rural people, and learning rapidly and progressively. The menu of methods is reviewed, including secondary data review, direct observation, do-it-yourself, key indicators, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, diagrams etc. PRA is introduced as being less extractive, more participatory, involving visual sharing and role reversals. The paper ends with a discussion of potentials and dangers in the use and development of R/PRA.

Publisher

Comparative Assessment of Experiences with Participatory Village Development Planning in the Context of GTZ-Supported Projects in Indonesia

Authors: 
Wentzel, S.
1994

Abstract

This document is an abstract from the executive summary of a larger report on participatory village planning in Indonesia. It assesses GTZ's experiences with participatory village planning in six programmes (in area development, food security, social forestry and farming systems development). The participatory planning methods used include ZOPP, Poster Analysis and gender analysis. Strengths and limitations of the participatory planning processes and methods used in each programme area are discussed in detail. Overall, it is concluded that the institution building approach to village planning supports existing regulations on bottom-up planning (an objective decided without villager participation in overall project planning); and, no systematic analysis of the weaknesses of village institutions was conducted before attempts were made to strengthen them. Key questions which emerge from the analysis are: Who needs to now what for which type of planning? Who needs to participate in which type of planning? Which type of planning procedure is appropriate to a given situation? How can facilitator quality be ensured? How much may a planning process cost in relation to the programme being designed? The paper ends by considering minimally required steps to institutionalise villager participation in routine bottom-up planning:

ActionAid-Pakistan: Annual Progress Report, January to December 1992

Authors: 
ActionAid-Pakistan
1993

Abstract

This report gives an overview of the work of ActionAid-Pakistan in 1992. The general section on programme work notes that a process is envisaged where PRA is used to facilitate the initial introduction to a community, leading to preliminary ideas from which to begin immediate entry point activities, to provide a basis for developing the programme further. An example is given of a PRA study whose aims were to elicit information about an area unfamiliar to staff and to develop understanding between ActionAid and the communities. The benefits of undertaking the introductory PRA are elaborated, which included community participation in project choice and facilitation of communication of ActionAid's ideas about proposed projects to villagers. The report includes a description of the programme area, local problems defined in the PRA and the initial programme objectives. The need to develop community management structures and monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure continuing community involvement is elaborated.

Publisher

Pages