Participatory Methods
Tatiana Kluvankova-Oravska
Andrej Udovc
Sigrid Stagl
Prague Workshop, 10 June 2004
Agenda
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Brief introduction to participation
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Motivations
Definitions
Methods
Potentials and Challenges
Case study in Slovakia incl. participatory
simulation
Implications for IDARI
Motivations for Participation
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Multiple legitimate perspectives
" social incommensurability
Evolving complex systems, uncertainty,
ambiguity and ignorance
" technical incommensurability
(Munda 2004, EJOR)
Top Down Drivers
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1987 – Brundtland Report: linked SD def with public
participation
1992 – Rio Declaration Principle 10
1993 – European Commission - Fifth Action
Programme on the Environment
1998 – Aarhus Convention: makes public participation
in environmental decision-making a statutory right
2002 – Johannesburg Declaration
World Bank – representation of multiple and
nongovernment stakeholders in project appraisal
Bottom-up Drivers
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Direct pressure from interested parties
in various forms of organised action,
e.g. public protests, consumer
boycotts, petitions and lobbying.
Definitions
“Participation is a process during which individuals, groups
and organisations become actively involved in a project“
(Wilcox 2003).
Public participation
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“a process through which stakeholders influence and
share control over development initiatives, decisions and
resources which affect them” (World Bank).
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includes deliberation and inclusion (Bloomfield et al.
2001),
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“can initiate social learning processes which translate
uncoordinated individual actions into collective actions
that support and reflect collective needs and
understanding” (Webler et al. 1995).
Stages of research
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Problem identification
Problem definition
Problem exploration
Assessment of alternatives (esp. local
knowledge, social preferences)
(Dissemination of results)
Level of engagement
Approaches
CITIZEN POWER
TOKENISM
NON-PARTICIPATION
Citizen Control
Delegated Power
Partnership
Placation
Consultation
Informing
Therapy
Manipulation
Methods
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Focus groups
In-depth groups
Citizens juries
Consensus conferences
Mapping
Forums for interest groups
Deliberative workshops
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Effective Participation
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Were the right questions addressed?
Who was involved? Who was heard?
Who had influence?
Convergence of opinions or
judgements?
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If agreement, for how long?
Was trust built up or destroyed?
What are the consequences?
Challenges
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Loss of power compared to traditional planning and
legal routes
Representation of relevant actors
Managing expectations; constraints to full citizen
control; perception of no influence on decision
Discrepancy between people influencing and people
accountable
Building capacity
Unequal power distribution within group
Loss of trust – internal or external; consultation
fatigue
Choosing the appropriate scale
Participation difficult where !
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There is a history of conflict
One stakeholder dominates
The process lacks a clear purpose or goal
The process has unrealistic goals
There are non-reconciled differences in philosophy and
ways of working
There is a lack of communication
There is an imbalance of power and control
Stakeholders are missing from the discussion
The process has any hidden agendas
The perceived costs outweigh the perceived benefits.
(Source: Richards and Sherlock 2004: 22)
Recommendations
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Reflect why people distrust participation and learn from the
past; clear authority in decision making
Work on whichever rung of the ladder is appropriate
Ensure transparency throughout decision-making process
Select carefully representative for group of stakeholders/
population carefully
Ensure all stakeholders have equal access and capacity to
participate
Recognise multiple perspectives and validity of different
agendas
Competent and unbiased group facilitators
Adequate financial resources
Provide critical evaluation for participatory processes.
(Source: Richards and Sherlock 2004: 22)
Implications for IDARI
Research design
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Involvement of all researchers in the formulation of
research questions, choice of methods, publication
strategy
Dissemination of findings in adequate form
Personal
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Stimulate active engagement
Show openness to new ideas, fairness
Transparent decision-making
Comprehensive communication practice
" High motivation, research results which are excellent
in academic terms and meaningful to stakeholders
(Based on Gatzweiler/Stagl Jan 2003)