[PDF] Community Development Toolkit - CommDev

8Institutional AnalysiscontinuedPLANNING TOOLSHow to use this toolThis is best done with a form of Venndiagram, in which different-sized circles ofpaper are used to represent each institution.STEP 1Using pre-prepared paper circles of differentsizes, members of the community choosea circle to represent an institution that isimportant to them. Ask them to explain therole of that institution and why they havechosen a particular size of circle torepresent its relative importance. Differentcommunity members often challenge thesize of circles chosen and lively discussionensues.STEP 2Once all institutions are represented bya circle whose size has been agreedupon, draw a large circle on the groundrepresenting the community and ask thecommunity members to place theinstitutional circles either inside thecircle, outside the circle or straddlingthe boundary, indicating how centraleach institution is to the community (seeFigure 7). The relationship between variousinstitutions may also be described by thedistance between the circles.As with all participatory planning exercises,the institutional analysis may be undertakenby separate groups of women, youth, theelderly, religious or ethnic minorities, andthese separate sessions may revealdifferent power bases within a community.If undertaken in joint session, it is essentialthat the facilitators ensure the opportunityfor all community members to contribute,not just the most vocal.98 Community Development Toolkit