‘Participation’ as an approach in development seeks to achieve a range of aims including: development to reflect peoples’ needs; learning and empowerment of people so that they can identify and solve problems they face; initiate sustainable processes not requiring future outside facilitation; improve equity; focus on the poor and disadvantaged.
You have been appointed the manager of a project that seeks to introduce a participatory approach to development in a rural or urban area (of say 30 communities of approximately 50 households each). You have a budget sufficient to employ 5 facilitators and pay for their transport, for a period of three years.
- Outline and justify the steps and approaches you would take during the first year of the project in order to try to make it as successful as possible. (50 marks)
- Identify and discuss the key factors that are likely to determine the extent to which a project like this is successful in meeting the aims of participation noted above in the first paragraph. (50 marks)
In answering this question, you will need to make several assumptions about the nature and scope of the development project. Clearly summarise these at the start of the essay. In conducting this assignment you are advised to: use what we have learnt in the module; refer to relevant literature; and use your own initiative.
Your essay should not be longer than 2,500 words (excluding references, tables, figures and appendices).
Sample Solution