15/09/2025
Training Course on Participatory Rural Appraisal for Community Development Practitioners
This comprehensive ten-day training program is meticulously designed for Community Development Practitioners and field-based professionals seeking to master the principles and practical application of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The course provides an in-depth understanding of how to engage effectively with rural communities, gather qualitative data, and facilitate collective analysis for sustainable development planning. Participants will gain hands-on experience with a wide array of PRA tools and techniques, empowering them to foster local ownership and ensure community-led development initiatives.
The curriculum covers a broad range of critical topics, including the philosophy and principles of PRA, building rapport and trust with communities, a diverse toolkit of PRA methods (e.g., mapping, transect walks, Venn diagrams, seasonal calendars, matrices), data validation and triangulation, facilitating community workshops, ethical considerations in participatory research, analyzing and synthesizing PRA findings, and integrating PRA outcomes into project design and implementation. Each module is carefully structured to provide a blend of theoretical insights and intensive practical application through simulated fieldwork, group exercises, and role-playing, equipping community development practitioners with the expertise to truly partner with rural communities.
Course Objectives
Upon the successful completion of this Training Course on Participatory Rural Appraisal for Community Development Practitioners, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the philosophy, principles, and ethics of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
2. Build effective rapport and establish trust with rural communities.
3. Select and apply a wide range of PRA tools and techniques.
4. Facilitate engaging and productive community workshops.
5. Collect and triangulate qualitative data effectively from community members.
6. Analyze and synthesize PRA findings to understand local realities.
7. Integrate PRA outcomes into the design, planning, and monitoring of community development projects.
8. Promote local ownership and empower communities in development processes.
9. Ensure ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity in participatory work.
10. Communicate PRA findings effectively to various stakeholders.
Online and classroom based short course for career development in Training Course on Participatory Rural Appraisal for Community Development Practitioners