This year the Center for Development Services (CDS) has hosted the RCPLA workshop in Cairo, Egypt from 4-6 March 2008. The workshop was a good opportunity for new and old members to know each other, exchange experience and work on developing RCPLA activities plan for year 2008/2009.

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The Ten Seed Technique

The ten seed technique is a modified PLA tool. It was introduced after a lot of modification and experimentation as a tool that can be used to carry out several of the Participatory Learning and Action exercises. It is useful in conducting research as a way of identifying the priorities/situational realities of marginalized and less educated people relating to health, land use etc. However, just like most participatory tools, it can be adapted from a research to a planning tool. It is also practical in gathering qualitative information on various issues, especially related to the perception of the community and the way people see themselves in relation to others. . Read more about


Participatory Learning and Action (PLA Notes)

Participatory Learning and Action is the world's leading series on participatory learning and action approaches and methods. It provides a forum for all those engaged in participatory work – community workers, activists and researchers – to share their experiences, conceptual reflections and methodological innovations with others. - It is published three times a year in April, August and December.

The PLA encourages practitioners of participatory methodologies from around the world to share their field experiences together. Most issues of Participatory Learning and Action have a special theme section, as well as a selection of general articles and regular features. Special issues draw on the expertise of guest editors to provide up-to-the minute accounts of the development and use of participatory methods in specific fields. Subscriptions are free to individuals and organisations from the South and to community/voluntary groups from the North with limited or no funding for resources. Also all back issues and current ones are downloadable for free.


Beyond Participatory Tools

This field guide is primarily intended for development facilitators who work directly with communities. It seeks to provide participatory development ideas and suggestions for a development worker to consider using when working with communities. The main focus of this guide is to show how and why to use the participatory concepts, tools & techniques in the development work.