The paper Participatory Research, Planning and Evaluation on Bonded Labour in Northern India Summary Results: Participatory Action Research in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was commissioned by the Freedom Fund to the Institute of Development Studies. The research involved community engagement through various participatory tools, enabling local groups to analyse their circumstances and develop theories of change. Key outcomes included identifying health issues and the need for improved government services to reduce reliance on private hospitals and high-interest loans. The process highlighted the importance of building community trust and understanding and the need for structured support in data analysis and action planning.
The report emphasises several recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of participatory action research. Firstly, it advocates for taking the time to build trust and engagement among community members, which is crucial for developing a common vision. Secondly, it suggests embedding action research within existing programs to alleviate initial apprehensions from NGOs about its integration. Lastly, the paper calls for close methodological and facilitation support to ensure that the action research process is evidence-based and leads to locally owned actions, ultimately fostering sustainable change in the communities involved.
Click here or on the image below to access the report.
