Participatory Approaches to Research and Development in IIED: Learning from experience

This report is the result of an internal learning process which examined participatory approaches and methods in twelve selected research projects in IIED and involved many staff at IIED. Although the review was primarily aimed at internal organisational learning, it provides lessons for other organisations which use participatory approaches and methods. The findings and recommendations cover the meaning and use of the term participation, the requisites for a co-learning approach to collaborative research, the importance of partnerships for positive research outcomes, the factors which support methodological innovation and reflection, trade-offs in the use of participatory methods and approaches, the importance of information and communication and finally, the constraints in promoting learning within an organisation.