World bank participation sourcebook

Participation is a rich concept that means different things to different people in different settings. For some, it is a matter of principle; for others, a practice; and for still others, an end in itself. All these interpretations have merit. The World Bank Participation Sourcebook, how ever, follows the definition of participation adopted by the Bank's Learning - Group on Participatory Development:
Participation is a process through which stakeholders influence and share control over development initiatives and the decisions and resources which affect them.
In writing the Sourcebook, we wanted to discover how this could be achieved. As a first step, we turned to our colleagues, who contributed their experience and advice. It is this experience, both successes and frustrations, that we have tried to capture for Bank staff.
The Sourcebook is not a policy document on participation; nor is it to be read cover to cover. It also does not seek to persuade anyone (other than through ex ample) to use participatory approaches. It is primarily intended for readers who have already decided to use participatory approaches in their professional work.
How you read the Sourcebook is up to you. We hope, however, that it strengthens your ideas about participation and how you do your work. We also hope you agree that the new ways of working presented here can improve projects, contribute to the development process, and help reach the poor.