1. Support the spread of “good practice” in generating, managing, analysing and communicating spatial information Community Ground Preparation Step-by-step Processes By: Samuel Musembi Musyoki Unit: M04U02

2. Presentation outline Introduction Step-by-step process: –establish contact and building rapport –familiarise with community surroundings –identify community support structures –manage community relations –arrange community feedback –use participatory mapping findings

3. Introduction Building relationship with communities is key for a successful participatory process. Time is of the essence to prepare communities for participation and get buy-in for participatory mapping. Time must be created to ensure that before the participatory mapping process begins, the communities are well-prepared, have a good understanding of the process and see its relevance to their lives.

4. Step-by-step process There is no universal or standardised blueprint for community ground preparation. Encourage facilitators to use their own creativity and develop their own process guides.

5. Proposed generic sequence 1.Establish initial contacts and build rapport with communities. 2.Familiarise with the community surroundings. 3.Identify community support structures. 4.Manage community relations. 5.Prepare communities for feedback. 6.Use participatory mapping findings.

6. Establishing contacts and building rapport Building rapport between the “outsiders” and the “insiders” is essential for effective participation. Initial contacts could be made with community leaders who then would introduce the team to the wider community. The team should share about the participatory mapping process and allow questions because this ensures buy-in by the community.

7. Familiarising with the community surroundings Some activities that can help the team learn about the community include: –taking transect walks or drives with local people to observe; –participating in daily activities of the communities; –listening to conversations in public places, conducting joint mapping or oral histories and drawing daily activity schedules and seasonal calendars with different groups; –staying overnight in the villages to listen to histories and folk tales.

8. Community support structures Every community has an operating structure or structures; it is good to work through existing ones. Share with leaders and the community about the participatory mapping initiative and allow them to reflect about whether the existing structures can support participation for all. Agree on how the structures can be made more inclusive and participatory or find alternative ways for the marginalised to participate.

9. Managing community relations Communities are always willing to participate in processes if they are clear about the purpose and outcomes. Clarify objectives and benefits of the exercise and avoid creating false expectations. Many communities are likely to be suspicious because they may have participated in projects that did not improve their situation. Clarify what the participatory mapping initiative can and cannot offer.

10. Preparing communities for feedback Regular community feedback during the participatory mapping process is important. Feedback may not be effective unless communities are involved in designing the feedback mechanisms. Feedback needs to take into consideration strengths and weaknesses of the different groups (e.g. literacy levels, language, timing and gender constraints). This ensures participation in validating the findings and sustains interest and enthusiasm in the entire process.

11. Using participatory mapping findings It is important to get the communities to start thinking about the bigger change they want to see from the onset. It is important for the communities to visualise their vision of change, the audience they want to influence and how the outcomes of the participatory mapping can contribute to the change. This helps in developing action plans to ensure that the results of the participatory mapping have positive outcomes in their lives.