The training modules are meant to cover gaps in existing training programmes that were identified by a broad-based training needs assessment among stakeholders. The focus is on two key Panchayati Raj institutions - the Gram Sabha including all registered voters at village level and the Sarpanch (head of the lowest elected tier of Panchayati Raj institutions - the Gram Panchayat). The main issues here are lack of participation of the rural poor and the lack of preparedness of local elected officials. Hence the need for training for good local governance.
Although tailored to the training needs of Panchayati Raj functionaries in India, the modules provide guidance on core issues in institutional capacity-building for local development planning, which are, to a large degree, similar in other developing countries within the region.
Objectives
Structure
The modules cover the different stages of participatory local governance ranging from social mobilization to participatory community monitoring and evaluation. An additional module explains the use of the different participatory training tools. Reference information and case studies/examples relevant to the training are also included in the annex.