ENGAGING COMMUNITIES AND LIVED EXPERIENCE THROUGH PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES

As the international development community seeks to be more intentional about equity in programming and localization, organizations donors are identifying different ways engage stakeholders. One approach ensuring that research equitable is embed participatory methods design implementation of activities initiatives. Participatory “use systemic inquiry direct collaboration with those affected by an issue being studied for purpose action or change” (Vaughn & Jacquez, 2020, para. 1). The USAID Graduating Resilience Activity1 (the Activity), implemented AVSI Foundation partnership American Institutes Research (AIR) Trickle Up, uses standing committee approach, which features community-elected committees provide feedback throughout ensure Activity achieves its goals. Activity's primary goal graduate ultra-poor refugee Ugandan households Kamwenge District from conditions food insecurity fragile livelihoods self-reliance resilience. Using a woman-plus household approach,2 engages 13,200 economically active unable meet their basic needs. Through two cohorts, supports suite interventions including consumption support, asset transfer, livelihood skills training, savings financial inclusion coaching, linkages referrals services. In this essay we discuss background rationale using describe how designs they representative, examples has directly program implementation, identify strengths weaknesses approach. During one-year refine implement period, designed accountability framework decided communities reflect voice through addition other mechanisms such as toll-free phone lines, walk-in feedback, reports staff members. This focuses on importance participants’ lived experience, reflection, subsequent actions taken (Baum et al., 2006; MacDonald, 2012). Engaging members participate way increases likelihood cultural appropriateness relevance (Minkler, 2005). For example, researchers Uganda used Photovoice issues have positive negative effects health well strengths, findings validated survey results (Dowhaniuk 2021). engaged advisory board discussed promote authentication analysis interpretations local context, given board's understanding community's challenges. Activity, comprised elected representatives participating randomly selected villages within area. Standing serve role duration cohort approximately 24 months. To represent diversity participant experiences needs, divided up based demographic groups age, gender, host status, each group equally represented. total, 12 committees, 10 representatives. community, receive complaints participants share information quarterly meetings. Feedback may include suggestions, opinions, advice, concerns help improve implementation. intended mechanism elicit priorities perspectives inform Facilitated staff, convene basis three hours current challenges opportunities, insights affecting communities. Prior meeting, develops set questions emergent trends observed performance monitoring data, topics interest identified leadership. There time allocated during session address any After review transcripts pull out themes across refugee, men women, youth3 adults. provides contextual environmental changes related opportunities adjust presented below. Following onset COVID-19 pandemic, shared had increased hand washing behavior stop spread virus. While most reported having adequate access water regular handwashing, soap was prohibitively expensive. reviewed market data confirmed price per bar 3,500 UGX ($0.94 USD) April 2020 3,643 ($0.98 June 2020.4 Although not able mitigate challenge rising costs, continued tracking commodities, soap, understand potential behavior. also advised finding handwashing stations, sanitizer alternative, practicing overall social distancing reduce exposure need hands. pandemic gathering restrictions components, functioning Village Savings Loans Association groups. since were meeting modified format, smaller all one there lack trust, some feeling uncomfortable money kept spent without see transactions. concern, worked leaders get permission 10, would among members, while still allowing keep safe physical distances. maintained core whom trusted. key around components spouse participation, particularly coaching.5 Generally, noted spouses do coaching sessions. Reasons participation often working away home told only women should activities. suggested involving start providing sensitization, proactively encouraging them join response, made: form now signed both male female additional sensitization sessions conducted greater project encourage coaching. started collect numbers reminders adding new Activity. mentioned exclusively training crop production, however, wanted animal husbandry, many pursued livestock-rearing livelihoods. expressed lost animals due rearing skills. result, adapted expand curriculum husbandry better choices community. Similarly, youth felt included program, goals focused employment, apprenticeship youth. gap original engaging household, subsequently added intervention. supported mental struggle depression, trauma, stress. incorporated interpersonal therapy into curriculum. structure commitment confidentiality, discussion-based leadership development. Some feel comfortable relaying sensitive concern member representative rather than reporting it toll free number where name recorded. maintain layer anonymity raised. fosters trust rely liaisons. Holding meetings addressing builds can respond timely manner. From perspective, because discussion people low literacy levels who otherwise might mechanisms, complaint boxes, feedback. Lastly, perhaps importantly, serving individuals build capacity seek listen present peers, problem solve. Anecdotally, seen taking these types roles proved successful, several lessons learned considered. First, frequency location participants, stated needed prepare duties. Scheduling at convenient compensating transportation costs essential accessible inclusive. Second, if random sampling select groups, necessary final selection so area overrepresented. depending organized, lag responding emerge, why multiple important. meaningful consultation process possible extremely useful responsive needs real time. However, initiatives planned integrated research, learning, beginning effectiveness. just option implementors explore when thinking make programs move paradigm beneficiaries passive driver's seat. VANESSA HOFFMAN Researcher (AIR), 1400 Crystal Drive, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202-3289 (email: [email protected]). GLYNNIS MELNICOVE