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Assessing capacity needs and strategy development for grassroots rural institutions: a guide for facilitators

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This Group Strengthening workshop is designed to explore individual groups knowledge, skills, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, assets and other elements of the rural space that constitute the organizations’ enabling environment. The workshop is designed based on an appreciative inquiry process, and prioritizes the use of participatory learning methods. Appreciative inquiry is a four-stage approach that encourages participants to identify their strengths and focus on what they can achieve. This workshop takes participants through three stages of appreciative inquiry; Discovery, Dreaming and Design, and the final, fourth stage, Destiny is to be realized by participants following the workshop, in the subsequent stages of the Strengthening Rural Institutions Model. Throughout the workshop, participatory methods such as group discussions and presentations allow participants to highlight common challenges they face, identify their stakeholders and give an indication of how they perceive the roles and importance of these stakeholders. The use of role plays highlight the importance of participation in group activities, communication among members, gender roles and the risks posed by dependence on external assistance.

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