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This chapter provides an overview of rapid appraisal methods, focusing on their nature, types, limitations, the rationale for their use, and appropriate roles. Five methods are identified as the core of rapid appraisal methodology: key informant interviews, focus group discussions, community/group interviews, structured direct observation, and informal surveys. Some of the limitations of rapid appraisal methods are discussed, such as reliability and validity, the difficulty of drawing larger-scale conclusions, and general credibility. These should be weighed against the advantages of the methods, such as the rapid generation of relevant information with relatively low investment of resources, and provision of in-depth information. The paper concludes that rapid appraisal methods should be used selectively, and situations are identified in which their application is particularly appropriate.

Farmer communities of Sta. Josefa, a fifth class municipality in Agusan del Sur, take center stage in this 25-minute video. It highlights the value of people's participation in the local development planning process in the Philippines, a result of the 1991 Local Government Code, which provided a mandate for democratisation at the village level. The video explores the different participatory tools used to identify, prioritise and analyze problems, and which facilitate the communities in making their own development plans. Also featured is the willingness of local government units to lead communities in making claims through the participatory planning process, as seen in the experience of Toboso, Negros Occidental. This video features the partnership and interplay of the roles of vital community actors, such as non-governmental organisations, people's organisations and local government units, in assisting the communities to achieve socio-economic advancements. Importantly, it highlights the commitment to building empowered and sustainable communities.

This is the Annual Report (1999) of the Eastern Region Participatory Action Network (ERPAN), a networking, membership-based organisation based in Nepal. ERPAN is being developed as a common forum where different organisations and individuals engaged in the field of development based in the region interact and exchange their learning, experiences, ideas and thoughts on development initiatives. The report discusses the activities carried out during the year, in terms of workshops, training and sharing meetings. As part of the sharing and interaction workshop on 'Pathways to Participation', a time line and time trend of PRA in the eastern region is presented, giving a quick and useful guide to the evolution of participatory approaches in the region. The report also lists the publications of the organisation, as well as its members, both insitutional and individual. It then discusses the process of institutionalisation for the organisation, and the lessons learnt throughout the year. A SWOT analysis of the organisation is elaborated, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.