Our Work

Participatory Research In Asia (PRIA) owes its birth to the International Participatory Research Network to expand the nascent field of Participatory Research in the Asian region. We continue to build an inclusive knowledge base along with capacities to use Participatory Research.

Deficits in governance and planning, continuous environmental degradation and climate impacts are challenging the very survival of humanity. Our work in the decade to come will address these challenges, by creating a world in which development relies much more on local, community-led solidarity actions, supported by redesigned institutions and active citizens, which recognises and nurtures diversity, especially of gender and knowledge systems.

Reimagining Participation

The guiding principle for PRIA’s work on participation has been to promote full inclusion of ALL citizens to transform the status quo at every level. We work on participatory development from the perspective of rights, accountability and valuing lived knowledge.

Promoting Participatory Research

Using participatory research to systematise indigenous, local, experiential knowledge, and using it as a powerful tool to take action, deepen democracy and create a fairer, more gender-just world.

Empowering Civil Society

Conceptualising civil society as a sector, and building capacities of civil society, voluntary and non-profit organisations to promote people’s participation based on the principles and approaches of our unique Participatory Training Methodologies.

Gender Still on the Agenda

Mainstreaming gender in a way that gender perspectives and attention to the goal of gender equality are central to all development activities – policy, research, advocacy/dialogue, legislation, resource allocation, planning, and monitoring.

Sustainable Urban Future

Enabling civil society and citizen associations to hold government institutions accountable in making Indian cities resilient, and urban development inclusive and sustainable.

Our Theory of Change

PRIA’s theory of change is unique in the developmental sector. We act as a bridge between the supply and demand sides of any issue or theme we invest in. Efforts to mobilise individuals, especially the poor and marginalised sections, but increasingly also the middle class, makes them aware of their rights and responsibilities, thus fuelling their sense of agency to demand – services, inclusion, participation, knowledge. On the supply side, we work with government and private agencies to sensitise them to deliver their mandates and be accountable to citizens.

How We Make It Happen

PRIA’s innovative participatory tools are uniquely applied to gather local knowledge, promote learning and enable the working of citizens and institutions together at the local, national and international level.

Capacity Building

Globally, PRIA plays an intermediary role in supporting and building capacities of voluntary organisations. Learning for community-based development professionals is promoted through multi-sector, multi-location training-learning programmes. to build an engaged community of practitioners and to advocate at trans-national levels

Research

PRIA is spearheading studies on the challenges of civil society in the new millennium, the non-profit sector in India, and civil society and governance.

Advocacy

PRIA has remained active internationally as an important actor in participatory research, lifelong learning and adult education advocacy. Our work has also helped define the conceptual and institutional base for what has become the largest transnational network of civil society organisations.

We engage with as many stakeholders as possible, to put in place answers which are long lasting and effective, rather than an artificial short-term fix, with use of relevant technology that supports people’s own ways of knowing and learning.