2.1. Public Participation Opinions

So therefore we need to prepare them small and large intervention we need to promote there, there are so many projects are going on there in this place and many of this project are focusing on the disaster risk management and climate change adaptations. Most of these projects are advocating the incorporations and involvement of the local people into the projects.

This section introduces the importance of local involvement in various projects aimed at addressing disaster risks and adapting to climate change. It emphasizes that projects are not just about implementation but also about including and considering the local community's insights and needs. The term 'small and large intervention' suggests that both minor and major efforts are required for effective project implementation.

Imagine a community coming together to build a new park. It's not just the city officials deciding what the park will look like; they should ask the community what features they want, like playgrounds or gardens. This way, everyone feels included and more invested in the outcome.

Now we want to see that in these projects on all this climate change and disaster risk management projects, how people see these projects, what are the involvement they have and how they feel that they can better involve into these projects. We conducted this survey in four villages in Wa district, West district, Chietanaga, Bankpama, Zowayeli and Baleowafili.

This chunk discusses the need to assess community perceptions and feelings towards the climate change and disaster risk management projects. It highlights a survey conducted across four villages to gather this information. Understanding how community members view their involvement is crucial for tailoring the projects to promote greater participation and ensure the local voice is heard.

Think of a school conducting a survey among students before deciding on changes in the lunch menu. By asking them what meals they prefer, the school ensures that the students feel involved in the decision-making process, which increases satisfaction and participation.

So they had a flood in 2007-2010. And you can see what people told us they said that process there should be representation of all groups, clear objectives, agreed objectives, power to influence decisions, continued relation with the community, incorporating local knowledge, good facilitator.

The community shared their experiences from past floods (2007-2010) and the lessons learned. They emphasized the need for inclusive representation, clear and agreed objectives, and the power to influence decision-making. Local knowledge is crucial for effective project design and implementation, and maintaining good facilitation helps in bridging the gap between project implementers and community members.

Consider a team working on a group project at school. If everyone gets a say in what the project will include and how it will be executed, each member feels less frustrated and more invested. They are more likely to cooperate and work together effectively because they all have a say.

And outcome; There should be livelihood security, plan implementation, ownership, self-reliance, time-effective.

The community identified several desired outcomes from public participation including livelihood security, meaning that people should have their basic needs met before they can participate effectively. They also highlighted the importance of implementing plans, ensuring ownership over projects, fostering self-reliance among community members, and ensuring that processes are efficient and time-effective.

Think about organizing a neighborhood cleanup event. For it to work, people need to feel safe and have the means (like supplies) to participate. If the event is well-planned and everyone is clear about their roles, it will be more successful and enjoyable.

So therefore instead of we define the community participations it should be from the community who would decide that what is the meaning of community participation.

This concluding thought emphasizes that the definition and understanding of community participation should be derived from the community itself rather than imposed by external entities. It underscores the importance of local perspectives in developing participatory approaches that are meaningful and effective.

It's like asking a group of friends to decide on a movie to watch. Instead of one person picking the movie for everyone, they should all discuss their preferences to choose something they collectively enjoy. This ensures that everyone feels included and satisfied with the decision.

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