The Implications of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in Fostering Livelihoods in Rwanda

There is a growing emphasis on moving away from conventional survey questionnaires towards innovative participatory appraisal and analysis methods, enabling local rural or urban populations to take on tasks previously carried out by external parties. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) involves an appraisal and analysis process that can result in local community or group action, such as the implementation of experiments planned and de-signed by farmers. The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) on livelihood development in Rwanda, with a focus on a citizens’ assembly in Bugesera district. Specifically, the study aims to assess the benefits of PRA, the main obstacles faced by citizens in fully engaging in PRA initiatives like citizens assemblies and key strategies to address them. Both primary and secondary sources were utilized for this research. Primary data was gathered through questionnaire surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. The data demonstrated a strong connection between PRA and livelihood development in Rwanda. For instance, findings revealed that PRA resulted in increased accountability of leaders, transparency in public services, greater citizen participation, improved planning, monitoring, and evaluation, and provided a platform for citizens to voice their concerns and needs. Additionally, the data highlighted various challenges hindering full citizen partic-ipation in PRA initiatives, such as lack of education, poverty, corruption, and fear of expressing concerns. Therefore, the study suggests recommendations for the government to promote education, empower economically disadvantaged individuals, enhance decentralization efforts, and implement measures to combat corruption at the local level.