Community participation : strategies and tools : a trainers' manual for the rural water supply and sanitation sector in Pakistan

Although the concept of community participation in development has been incorporated in various programmes in Pakistan over the past 40 years, decision-making has remained highly centralized. This has led to alternative strategies aimed at teaching and involving people. However, most of the exploratory trials pertained to village aid, rural works, public works, and rural development. With the exception of the urban sanitation experience of the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP), very little attention was given to the water and sanitation sector. The purpose of this manual is to improve the situation in the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) sector through community involvement in the RWSS programme. It emphasizes the need for training in specific methods and techniques which help to promote community participation. The manual is aimed at Lead Trainers who are in a position to train extension level staff and wish to conduct such training on participatory lines. It includes several tools which can stimulate extension staff to design their own activities, or adapt for use at the community level. It is presented to the trainer as a starting point for dialogue on participatory training rather than as a compilation of definitive answers and prescriptions.