The PLA/PRA approach is used with the following assumptions:
1. Rural communities form active foundation for rural development
2. Communities need committed local leaders to stir up their development
3. Communities have knowledge and information but it needs to be organized
4. Communities have resources but they need to be mobilized. They can introduce projects, acting primarily on their own resources.
5. Community organizations are among the many, which are under utilized resources available for development efforts.
6. External units such as Government technical experts and extension workers, NGOs, and international organizations often can provide substantial technical, financial or managerial assistance that is critical to rural communities.
7. Thus, PLA/PRA brings together on the one hand, development needs defined by the community members and on the other, skills of Government, donor agencies and NGOs. It integrates traditional knowledge systems and external technical knowledge in the development process.
Adebo, S. (2000). Training Manual on Participatory Rural Appraisal
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