Organized process

While participatory approaches make use of a flexible "basket" of different methodologies,
those methodologies are guided by objectives and responsive facilitation.

Systemic learning

The methods used in participatory approaches emphasize learning about systems and the
relations between different elements in those systems. Participatory approaches need to be
"holistic".

Multiple
perspectives

Participatory approaches take into account the fact that different people have different
perspectives and try to accommodate these different perspectives

Group learning

Participatory approaches emphasize the value of learning in groups as a means of coming to
consensus decisions regarding action to address commonly identified objectives. (Understanding the "group" and the power relations within the group is important so that
"consensus" decisions reflect the needs of weak group members as well as the strong ones.)

Context specific

Each community and its context are different. Participatory approaches accommodate their
specific characteristics. (From experience, the importance of recognizing the differences
within communities, and between social and economic groups, is also being emphasized more
and more.)

Facilitating

The use of participatory approaches by development practitioners involves the adoption of a
facilitating or catalytic role, rather than a protagonists.

Leading to change

While participatory approaches accommodate local knowledge and skills, they are focussed on facilitating changes that people regard as appropriate.