Participatory rural appraisal

PRA is a family of approaches which constantly emphasis on revisiting the attitude and behaviour of the facilitator who strive to induce participation, which is a empowering process of the weaker and vulnerable to articulate their needs/situation, stumbling blocks and aspirations.  Thus PRA approach is backed by a set of tools which serve as catalysts in facilitating the involvement process.  This approach does not stop at one point or it is neither a one off activity but an ongoing process.  This could be used at various levels of the project or development cycle. PRA is both a philosophy (that outsiders need to learn about the situation from the insiders – local communities, and that insiders can analyse their own problems) and a series of tools for carrying out participatory and qualitative development process. The key and unique feature of PRA is its scope for triangulation.  Data generated from the field is carefully and jointly analysed by locals along with the facilitator (often multi-disciplinary team) to iron out the gaps as well accept field realities from local perception.

RCPDS carried out numerous Participatory Rural Appraisal workshops throughout India for both the government and NGOs, and several PRA workshops in Africa and other Asian countries, the organisation has developed an internationally recognised expertise in PRA methodologies.