Participatory Development

Participatory Development-PD Participatory Development seeks to engage local populations in development projects or programs (Wikipedia, 2013). PD emerged in the 1970s when it was introduced as an important component of the "basic needs approach" to development. There are various approaches but most manifestations of PD seek “to give the poor a part in initiatives designed for their benefit” in the hopes that development projects will be more sustainable and successful if local populations are engaged in the development process

Participatory Development PD is characterized as an alternative to mainstream “top-down” development approaches Advocates of PD emphasize a difference between participation as “an end in itself”, and participatory development as a “process of empowerment” for marginalized populations

What is Participation? Local ownership of development programmes and projects is a key theme of most development policies of agencies such as the EC, CIDA, World Bank, USAID, etc. Participation and ownership are fundamental to ensuring relevance, effectiveness and sustainability

Participation Defined Participation, in the development context, is a process through which all members of a community or organization are involved in and have influence on decisions related to development activities that will affect them (ADF, It implies that development projects will address those community or group needs on which members have chosen to focus, and that all phases of the development process will be characterized by active involvement of community or organization members.

Objectives of Participatory Approaches Empowerment – brings about a more equitable sharing of power, increasing the political awareness of stakeholders/ groups, and supporting them in taking actions that will allow them to take more control of their own futures. How?

Objectives-2 Capacity Building- People learn best by doing things for themselves. If people are assisted to plan and manage their own affairs the outcomes are more likely to meet their real needs. Capacity building is also important because it is a precondition for the sustainability of development initiatives How?

Objectives-3 Effectiveness Participation can be a vehicle for increasing the effectiveness of development projects or programs. If people have a genuine stake in development activity and actively involved in decision making, they are likely to give a greater degree of commitment and shared objectives are more likely to be achieved

Objectives-4 Efficiency While effectiveness is about the degree to which stated objectives are met, efficiency incorporates the additional consideration of cost. When project activities are undertaken in a timely manner, through participatory approach, it can contribute to the improved efficiency of operations

Principles Key principles of participatory approaches: Involving people as subjects not objects Respect for local knowledge and skills Ensuring influence over development decisions, not simply involvement A learning process as much as an outcome An approach and attitude rather than a specific set of technical skills

Approach Participation may take on various forms, and occur in varying intensities depending on the nature of the activity and the roles and responsibilities of the people and groups involved. Community members or groups may contribute labour or some cash inputs, or be represented on a management committee, or take on full management and decision making responsibilities and authority.

Levels of Intensity 4 levels of intensity might be identified: Information sharing: Minimal level of ‘participation’ and often consists of little more than keeping people informed – i.e a one way flow of information. Consultation: Means that there is a two-way flow of information – a dialogue. However, this dialogue may not necessarily impact on decision making. Decision making: Participation reaches a higher level when it involves individuals or groups (particularly those who are usually excluded) in actually making decisions. They have the authority and responsibility to take action. Initiating action. The highest level of participation is achieved when people take it on themselves to initiate new actions.

Initiating Action Decision Making Consultation Information Sharing Passive

Active/High level Participation Passive/ Low level Participation