The main idea of People led Development (PLD) is that people are becoming active and capable to take full responsibility of their own development processes in their communities. PLD is not a new theory or method but a very traditional and common approach and practice of rural Bangladesh to solve problems and explore the potentials for further improvements. It is a process of sustainable development, creating avenues to share and utilize peoples’ views, widespread and sound knowledge, experience, practices, and resources for all issues relating to their own development. It has been proved that planning and implementation of activities are more effective under their leadership.
More concretely, PLD means that people are encouraged to organize themselves in groups to bundle capacities, resources and experiences. Groups can be occupational groups, like farmers, weavers or potters; there are many women’s groups, groups of elderly people; more and more youth groups are becoming very active. It is BARCIK’s experience that groups are stronger to stand for the interests of their members, can better solve problems and negotiate progress with other actors.
The PLD process ensures
- Indigenous knowledge and its practice
- Biodiversity conservation and proper management of natural resources
- Mutual relationship, assistance, communication & Sharing
- Exchange of knowledge, experience and resources and
- Low cost development initiatives.
However, BARCIK through its constant development process facilitates interested individuals, e.g. farmers conducting research to improve their seeds or women experimenting with improved ovens. For some of them, this is the starting point to engage more continuously and ultimately start some form of organized groups. BARCIK using the PLD approach is not putting any pressure on them to become an organized group, but supports initiatives coming from the people themselves, as these have proven to be more effective and sustainable. The groups are supported in their efforts to plan in an effective and membership based way. This means e.g. that at the beginning, monthly meetings are being facilitated by BARCIK to review the current situation, discuss problem solving approaches, monitor the progress and plan activities. Appropriate methods and capacities to plan, monitor and manage groups are introduced and strengthened, many from the “Participatory Learning and Action” toolboxes, adjusted to the particular context and needs. Gradually, people learn how to develop effective plans and improve monitoring of their development initiatives. With increasing capacities of the communities/the groups, BARCIK can withdraw this kind of support and the groups conduct their meetings without external assistance.
Based on this understanding, BARCIK can better see the opportunities for mobilization, organization and ownership; they can identify the relevant actors and interested persons, as well as help these actors to strategize their development activities. The existing culture of volunteering and appreciation of social volunteer work enhances the processes in the communities and make people more willing to contribute themselves.