Participatory M&E participation or taking part in)

means various types and degrees of involvement, control over and decision-making in an activity (or a planning, assessment, research or evaluation process

Monitoring is the systematic, regular collection and occasional analysis of information to identify and possibly measure changes over a period of time.
Evaluation is the analysis of the effectiveness and direction of an activity or research project and involves making a judgment about progress and impact.

The main differences between monitoring and evaluation are the timing and frequency of observations and the types of questions asked. However, when monitoring and evaluation are integrated into an extension strategy as a project management tool, the line between the two becomes rather blurred.

Typology

Characteristics of Each Type

Passive People participate by being told what is Participation going to happen or has already happened. It is a unilateral announcement by an administration or project management without any listening to people's responses. The information being shared belongs only to external professionals. Participation in Information Giving People participate by answering questions posed by extractive researchers using questionnaire surveys or similar approaches. People do not have the opportunity to influence proceedings, as the findings of the research are neither shared nor checked for accuracy.

Participation by People participate by being consulted, and Consultation external agents listen to views. These external agents define both problems and solutions and may modify these in the light of people's responses. Such a consultative process does not concede any share in decision making, and professionals are under no obligation to take on board people's views. Participation for People participate by providing resources, for Material example labour, in return for food, cash, or Incentive other material incentives. Much of extension falls in this category, as farmers provide the fields but are not involved in the demonstration or the process of learning. It is very common to see this called participation, yet people have no stake in prolonging activities when the incentives end.

Funcional People participate by forming groups to meet Particip predetermined objectives related to the project, which ation can involve the development or promotion of externally initiated social organization. Tends to be dependent on external initiators and facilitators, but may become selfdependent. Interactive People participate in joint analysis, which leads to action Particip plans and the formation of new local institutions or the ation strengthening of existing ones. It tends to involve interdisciplinary methodologies that seek multiple perspectives and make use of systemic and structured learning processes. These groups take control over local decisions, and so people have a stake in maintaining structures or practices. SelfMobiliz ation People participate by taking initiative independent of external institution to change systems. They develop contacts with external institutions for resources and technical advice they need, but retain control over how resources are used. Such self-initiated mobilization and collective action may or may not challenge existing inequitable distribution of wealth and power.

PM&E is about partnerships

The 4Is and the 4Cs of Participation

The 4Is 1.Integrated 2.Involving 3.Inclusion 4.Interaction

The 4Cs 1.Collaboration 2.Collegial 3.Co-ordination 4.Cooperation

What Influences Peoples Participation in social development

perceived benefits (and partial or short-term costs) relevance of SD to the priorities of participating groups quick and relevant feedback of findings flexibility of the SD process to deal with diverse and changing information needs

What Influences People to Participate in SD?

meeting expectations that arise from SD, such as acting on any recommendations that are made degree of maturity, capabilities, leadership, and identity of the groups involved, including their openness to sharing power incentives to make the SD possible (e.g. Inputs piglets, Seedlings etc.)

What Influences Peoples Participation in SD?

local political history, as this influences societys openness to stakeholders initiatives whether short term needs of participants are dealt with, while considering the longer term needs of SD (especially in natural resource management)

Criteria for Good Participatory Approach/Tool

A common agenda and shared decision making A balanced and integrated approach Respecting triangulation Forward looking potential Information sharing and feedback loops

A common agenda and shared decision making

Good stakeholder representation in partnerships Clear empowerment strategy Clear strategy for how to achieve change Good leadership Good documentation of the participatory process and tools used

A balanced and integrated approach

Iteration practice. Balanced analysis of Inherent characteristics and impact of innovative management Balanced consideration of biophysical and socioeconomic factors

Respecting triangulation
Use of triangulation principle Comparison of results from different methods Comparison of results obtained from different sources T Comparison of Time traditional and scientific(Temporal) knowledge

People (Social)

P
Place (Spatial)

Forward looking potential

Comparisons of options and scenarios Extrapolation and scaling practice Inclusion of exit strategy

Information sharing and feedback loops

A central aspect should be the meaningful participation by the different stakeholders in these activities.
Regular exchange and reflection events scheduled involving key stakeholders. Quantity and quality of participation in exchange and reflection events Multi-flow streams of information. Regular SD events scheduled involving key stakeholders. Outcomes of SD activities are translated into revised actions.