Governments, representing borrowing member countries, are the Bank's most significant partners in that they are shareholders as well as clients and are responsible for devising and implementing public policies and programs. Directly affected groups , i.e., the intended beneficiaries, often including the poor and others who are disadvantaged in terms of wealth, education, ethnicity, or gender. Indirectly affected groups , such as NGOs, private sector organizations, and so forth with an interest in outcomes. Because these groups are directly affected by projects, the Bank has reached out to engage them in development activities by learning from them about their needs and priorities. The truth is that the Bank doesn't have all the answers.
Participation is about breaking down barriers.
Once stakeholders were enlisted, the project was prepared using participatory planning workshops. A result of the effort was that villagers now serve on the boards of national bodies and are responsible for important local health care delivery. Participation achieves results through learning and by changing people's attitudes, values, and commitment to managing development and problems. It also builds the capacity of local people for self-organization and action. For example, in the Philippines and in Mexico, when irrigation systems were turned over to farmers groups, fee collections doubled and tripled from the levels generated by government revenue staff.