PRA-Manual Embracing Participitation tools-only.pdf - PACA

3.36 EMBRACING PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT: Wisdom from the Field
2.6 Venn diagrams
These are also known as Chapati Diagrams because of the circular paper cutouts
used in this analysis. This method is mainly used for institutional analysis.
Venn diagrams help in understanding the role different institutions (formal or
informal groups or key individuals) play in a community. It is possible to
analyze the relationship among these institutions, how important they are in
peoples’ lives and how the people perceive their relationship with them.
This method is best used with a group rather than individuals, as the discussion
and debate that accompanies the analysis is as important as the final visual
output.
A large circle represents the community and other circles, each representing an
institution, can be placed in or around the main circle. The size of these circles
represents their importance to the community (the bigger the circle, the more
important the institution). Different colors can be used to show negative and
positive relationships the community has with these institutions. The placement
of the circles represents how close the community feels to these
institutions. Institutions placed inside the main circle are institutions the
people feel close with. Distance between the circles represents the links they
may have between them. Circles touching or overlapping each other show a
close link between them.
Part 3
It is important to remind the group that this is not a physical map of the institutions
showing their location. This is a perception map of the role these
institutions play in their lives and does not show whether these institutions are
physically within or outside the area, nor does this show the physical size of the
institution. This analysis should include all the institutions the community has
links with and can include those which may be physically located outside the
area (e.g., the village headman who resides outside the village, or a clinic,
located three kilometers away).
This visual can also be used to discuss possible conflict among the institutions
and the degree of their contact. We can also include institutions that are new
and old, as well as those that are functional and those that are dysfunctional.
This visual is usually prepared on a large sheet of paper using paper cutouts for
the different institutions. It is useful to carry large sheets of paper or cards (at
least two colors), scissors, marker pens, and glue or tape. This visual can also be
prepared on the ground using colored chalk.
One of the main applications of this method during the participatory appraisals
with the adolescents in Zambia was to analyze the main sources of their information
on sex and reproductive health. The following example illustrates this
application.