participation: our vision @ 

 

Types of Participatory Projects

An important issue, concerns the relationship between participation and the different stages of the project cycle. There is no universal model which we can use to address this issue since different projects promote different forms of participation in relation to the project's purpose and goal.

While the project cycle will be a broadly common element, not all projects will be seeking to promote 'full participation' (self-management). In major physical infrastructure projects, for example, 'self- management' may not be a relevant goal. But in 'full participation' projects where the goal is to promote local capacities and to build the skills for self-management, project planning needs to focus on the development of participatory organization.

However, the common feature of any project should be that participation is the basic operating mechanism within the project and should characterise all of the project's activities ranging from initial analysis, needs determination, planning, monitoring, evaluation and so on. In this sense participatory project management is a collective action aimed at achieving a common objective;  it means "taking part" and "getting involved". The main task of the facilitator/outside agent is therefore to encourage and involve people in the process/activity of project development. In case of the full participation project also the development of project ownership and management by the participants.

It is widely understood that participation is not a one-off input into a project but it is a process which should be an intrinsic part and characteristic of a project throughout its duration. This process evolves through a series of stages, but these stages will vary according to the nature and purpose of the project.

Participation has to be developed and this development has to be projected over a period of time and the appropriate action taken at its different stages. This perspective is fundamental to participatory development and it will be essential for country office staff to adopt this approach in order to map out the likely evolution of people's participation.

In development projects the evidence to date would suggest that in broad terms people's participation develops along a continuum: 

Passive Participation	where beneficiaries basically welcome the project proposals and support them but are generally cautious (and even suspicious) in relation to project management.
Increasing Involvement	where beneficiaries begin to develop more trust in the project and more contact with its activities and staff; they may also begin to take on some responsibilities.
Active Participation	where beneficiaries play the role of active partners in the project's implementation and development and assume increasing responsibility.
Ownership/Empowerment	where beneficiaries are both willing and able to sustain and further develop the initiatives begun by the project

Source: UNDP Empowering People:  A Guide to Participation