Field based needing time for regular consultation and interactions. SA is the systematic assessment of the social processes and factors that affect development impacts and results. GA focuses on understanding and documenting the differences in gender roles, activities, needs and opportunities in a given context. Provides a process for building information from local communities into plans and plans into action. Need focused data analysis and needs experienced local consultants.
Needs can also change.
Considerable efforts are needed by all stakeholders to participate. The use of NGOs as intermediaries may have its own set of problems. The NGO label includes widely different kinds of organisations, some of which are working in a participatory manner while others do not. Additionally, NGO representativeness and accountability often remains unclear. There are constraints at a policy level, which impinge on the effectiveness of participation in relation to peoples' rights and access to information, and there may be resistance within bureaucracies to work in innovative ways.