Facilitating Participatory Development: Tools and Typologies

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyse participatory efforts in Bluefields, Nicaragua and to put forward a toolkit that will facilitate genuine participation. In doing so, this research outlines the important concepts, types, and pitfalls of participatory development. A case study of blueEnergy Nicaragua serves to investigate the use of participatory efforts in the field. On the basis of this case study, a toolkit is drafted that provides a number of tools that help facilitate participatory development. The toolkit is divided in seven categories: [1] Participant Observation, [2] Mapping, [3] Diagrams, [4] Matrix and Ranking, [5] Calendar and Timeline, [6] Stakeholder and Benefit Analysis, and [7] Games. Moreover, the research strongly advocates the ranking of participation through different typologies, and critical self-reflection as corner stones of participatory development.