The complexity of Participation
Participation often sounds quite simple: involving communities in decision-making processes. Deciding together, learning together. Yet in practice, participation is often far more complex than it seems. Improving community participation frequently comes with uncertainty, setbacks, discomfort, and frustration.
If communities can define their priorities and evaluate change, they should also decide where resources should go. This is why Wilde Ganzen adopts two approaches as part of our community engagement strategy PGM (Participatory Grant making) and PPMEL (Participatory Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning). The methods are facilitated and employed by Wilde Ganzen.
PPMEL focuses on planning, monitoring, and evaluating projects together with communities, while PGM focuses on involving communities in funding and financing decisions. Both methods aim to challenge existing power structures. Whereas national organisations currently primarily function as executive powers, Wilde Ganzen aims to change the broader system that shapes the decision-making process.
While both approaches have ambition goals, meaningful participation does not happen automatically as it takes much time and effort. It is a complicated process. Increasing participation also means dealing with discomfort, time pressure, and inequalities within communities themselves.
First, letting go of control can feel uncomfortable for organisations. National partner organisations are often used to taking the lead in projects. In addition, the national partner organisation is closest to the community. Thus, initially, partner organisations have the power to decide which voices are heard and silences. Yet, participation means creating space for all voices.
Communities may set different priorities than originally expected by the national partner. In addition, the community may decide on an approach or a solution that is different from the original organisation’s plan. Moreover, stakeholders and their positions might change during the project program. Thus, participation also means accepting unexpected outcomes and begin open to change direction along the way.
Second, participatory approaches take time. Initially, national partner organisations can quickly take decisions within their organisation. However, group discussions, collective decision-making, and listening to individual stories naturally take more than having one person make decisions alone.
Building consensus requires patience. Including multiple perspectives in participatory processes can slow down project timelines. Stakeholder and circumstances might change along the way. This might influence participatory voices that shapes the process.
However, community-led and participatory development often creates stronger local ownership and broader community support. People are more likely to feel responsible for a project when they have actively contributed to shaping it. Even though some things may take longer to realise it can help prevent resistance later.
Finally, community participation does not naturally mean everyone is included. Communities are not homogeneous, and not all voices carry equal weight in practice. Some individuals or groups may remain dominant, while others may struggle to be heard. Participation therefore requires actively creating space for people whose voices are often overlooked or silenced. This takes both time and effort, but mainly, it takes commitment.
Strengthening parcticipation
At Wilde Ganzen, we continuously try to strengthen community participation through approaches such as PPMEL and PGM. Simultaneously, we recognise that this process comes with challenges and imperfections. Participation is not a fixed outcome with a measurable results. Rather, it is an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and improving together. We believe there is no shame in making mistakes along the way.
This post aims to illustrate how participation comes with its hardships. Participation teaches us to let go of control. Real participation requires openness, reflection and the willingness to keep learning. We ask you to learn with us.
Read more about PPMEL
By Liselot Gerdes