Participatory Rural Development Planning - Practice and Lessons from Ediki Bekoli Village in Cameroon

Scientific Study from the year 2018 in the subject Nature Protection, Landscape Conservation, University of Buea (Geography), language: English, abstract: This report presents the outcome of a ten-day mission carried out in 2009 with the goal to prepare a development plan for Ediki-Bekoli Village. The researchers conducted an ethnographic-type research with the aim being to guide and facilitate a community-led development planning process for the village from which this Village Development Plan (VDP) was born. Upon arrival in the village, the researchers were hosted by the village chief who convened a meeting with his councilors to discuss the purpose of the expedition, and from there, work kicked off. This VDP document was therefore prepared based on the approach to development planning which focuses on the principles of promoting sustainable livelihoods and self-reliant bottom-up development. A manual including different participatory learning tools and methods prepared by the capacity building component of Rumpi Project was used throughout the step by step planning process as well as improvisations adapted from other community development experiences around the world. The specific objective is to assist the community better their livelihoods and find solutions that will increase the income of the small-holders within the village thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. Following the initial participatory village assessment (PRA) stage, conducted with the entire community, the following problems were uncovered and prioritized. These problems include low agricultural productivity, lack of formal/informal technical training, poor road infrastructure, exposed water sources/ lack of potable water which engenders all kinds of health issues, and youth unemployment. Based on the above problems the following goals were formulated, followed by the elaboration of micro-projects based on these goals: to improve agricultural productivity; improve community health and well-being; to improve communication and rural infrastructure; to enhance rural capacity through the development of technical skills; institute community financing mechanisms These micro-projects, if implemented, will meet some of the developmental needs and aspirations of Ediki-Bekoli as perceived by the community itself, leading to the alleviation of poverty.