The Project Agent

Source: Oakley P et al (1991) Projects with People; ILO/WEP

The project agent has been variously described as an educator, catalyst, facilitator, broker, intermediary or activist, and this broad range of terms reflects the diffuseness of the agent's role and the difficulties of encapsulating it within commonly understood parameters. A review of participatory projects suggests the following as the major dimensions of the project agent's role:

Animation:

A process of assisting people to develop their own intellectual capacities, that is, to stimulate their critical awareness; this critical awareness enables rural people to examine and explain issues in their own words and, as a result, to realise what they can do to bring about change.

Structuring:

The development of internal cohesion and solidarity among rural people, and of some form of structure or organization which can help bring the people together and serve as the forum for their continued involvement.

Facilitation:

A service role which assists people to undertake specific actions designed to strengthen their participation; these actions can include the acquiring of particular technical skills, gaining access to available resources or translating their own ideas into feasible projects.

An outsider who comes with ready made solutions is worse than useless. He must first understand from us what our questions are and help us articulate the questions better, and then help us find solutions. Outsiders also have to change. He alone is a friend who helps us think about our problems on our own. (Tilakaratna, 1987)

Intermediary:

To serve, in the initial stages, as a go-between in relation to other external services or forces; to help establish contacts with existing services and introduce people to the procedures and mechanisms for dealing with these services.

Linking:

To help develop links between people in similar contexts and facing similar problems; this linking at district and regional level creates a wider base of support for participation.

Withdrawal:

A progressive redundancy, whereby the agent consciously withdraws from a direct role with the people and increasingly encourages them to undertake and manage the projects in which they are involved.

Back
Home
Up
Next