We define participation in development as a process of equitable and active involvement of all stakeholders in the formulation of development policies and strategies and in the analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development activities. To allow for a more equitable development process, disadvantaged stakeholders need to be empowered to increase their level of knowledge, influence control over their own livelihoods, including development initiatives affecting them. Participation in development is also seen as an organized effort within institutions and organizations to increase stakeholder access and control over resources and related decision making that contributes to sustainable livelihoods. Participation is furthermore viewed as an iterative process involving the continuous re-adjustment of relationships between different stakeholders in a society in order to increase stakeholder control and influence over development initiatives that affect their lives. Participatory approaches, methods, tools, activities and related changes in attitudes can facilitate a more equitable and demand-driven participatory development process. In order to institutionalize participation and ensure that collective action does continue after the withdrawal of a programme/project. It is essential that the capacities of the stakeholders, in particular local institutional arrangements, are strengthened. In this respect an appropriate capacity building strategy is required to integrate relevant horizontal and vertical linkages. Participation is the key to sustainable development initiatives, since it will lead to building on existing potentials and capacities, a greater sense of ownership on the part of the stakeholders, increased commitment to the objectives and outcomes, longer term social sustainability, increased self-help capacities, stronger and more democratic institutions and partnerships.
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