Using the Participation Cube to conduct Participation Analysis of Development Projects in Zambia and Uganda
Based on:
Journal Article (2024)
Utilizes the participation cube to conduct a three-dimensional participation analysis of development projects in Zambia and Uganda, assessing stages, levels of agency, and power dynamics among different actors.
Brief by:
Research collaborators:
Participatory development aims to empower those most affected by structural disadvantages, yet often falls short due to tokenistic practices that fail to address power imbalances. Cooke and Kothari (2001) highlight the risk of participation becoming a ‘tyranny’, where participants have little real influence. This paper introduces the participation cube, inspired by Gaventa’s power cube, to systematically analyze participation across three dimensions: who participates, at what stages, and at what levels of agency and control. The study applies this model to projects in Zambia and Uganda to identify opportunities for transformative participation, as advocated by Hickey and Mohan (2004). Existing literature lacks a comprehensive mechanism for such multi-dimensional participation analysis, which this paper seeks to address.
Key findings
The participation cube effectively highlights non-participation and varying levels of agency across project stages.
Evidence
In the Zambian case, the participation cube revealed that external academics and Asikana founders had full control during the design stage, while filmmakers were non-participants. By the implementation stage, filmmakers gained agency, independently creating films. In Uganda, the cube showed that marginalised groups initially had no participation in the design phase, but their agency increased during implementation as they became community-based facilitators.
What it means
The participation cube's structured analysis of participation levels helps identify power dynamics and opportunities for increasing agency among marginalized actors.
Participation tracing uncovers dynamic shifts in agency and control among project actors.
Evidence
In Zambia, the participation tracing method showed that a young facilitator, initially a non-participant, gained agency during implementation but lost it again in the evaluation stage. In Uganda, the tracing highlighted how women initially did not contribute but later spoke freely in public forums.
What it means
Tracing participation levels over time provides a nuanced understanding of how agency and control fluctuate, informing strategies to enhance participation.
The participation cube can be a valuable tool for planning and evaluating participatory processes.
Evidence
Retrospective application of the cube in both case studies identified stages where participation could be increased. In Uganda, the cube highlighted the need for engaging stakeholders across the accountability ecosystem, such as local politicians who requested training after hearing community concerns.
What it means
Using the participation cube proactively in project planning can address barriers to participation and optimize agency and control for all actors.
Proposed action
Understanding how different local actors participate in development processes can help to ensure that the most marginalised people in a community can help to shape development action.
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Using the Participation Cube to conduct Participation Analysis of Development Projects in Zambia and Uganda
Cite this brief: Roberts, Tony. 'Using the Participation Cube to conduct Participation Analysis of Development Projects in Zambia and Uganda'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/using-the-participation-cube-to-conduct-participation-analysis-of-development-projects-in-zambia-and-uganda/
Brief created by: Dr Tony Roberts | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- Howard, J., & Roberts, T., ‘Using the Participation Cube to conduct Participation Analysis of Development Projects in Zambia and Uganda’ 6(9) (pp. 8–19) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smh.2024.1341. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00220388.2024.2441713
Research brief:
Utilizes the participation cube to conduct a three-dimensional participation analysis of development projects in Zambia and Uganda, assessing stages, levels of agency, and power dynamics among different actors.
Participatory development aims to empower those most affected by structural disadvantages, yet often falls short due to tokenistic practices that fail to address power imbalances. Cooke and Kothari (2001) highlight the risk of participation becoming a ‘tyranny’, where participants have little real influence. This paper introduces the participation cube, inspired by Gaventa’s power cube, to systematically analyze participation across three dimensions: who participates, at what stages, and at what levels of agency and control. The study applies this model to projects in Zambia and Uganda to identify opportunities for transformative participation, as advocated by Hickey and Mohan (2004). Existing literature lacks a comprehensive mechanism for such multi-dimensional participation analysis, which this paper seeks to address.
Findings:
The participation cube effectively highlights non-participation and varying levels of agency across project stages.
In the Zambian case, the participation cube revealed that external academics and Asikana founders had full control during the design stage, while filmmakers were non-participants. By the implementation stage, filmmakers gained agency, independently creating films. In Uganda, the cube showed that marginalised groups initially had no participation in the design phase, but their agency increased during implementation as they became community-based facilitators.
The participation cube’s structured analysis of participation levels helps identify power dynamics and opportunities for increasing agency among marginalized actors.
Participation tracing uncovers dynamic shifts in agency and control among project actors.
In Zambia, the participation tracing method showed that a young facilitator, initially a non-participant, gained agency during implementation but lost it again in the evaluation stage. In Uganda, the tracing highlighted how women initially did not contribute but later spoke freely in public forums.
Tracing participation levels over time provides a nuanced understanding of how agency and control fluctuate, informing strategies to enhance participation.
The participation cube can be a valuable tool for planning and evaluating participatory processes.
Retrospective application of the cube in both case studies identified stages where participation could be increased. In Uganda, the cube highlighted the need for engaging stakeholders across the accountability ecosystem, such as local politicians who requested training after hearing community concerns.
Using the participation cube proactively in project planning can address barriers to participation and optimize agency and control for all actors.
Advice:
Understanding how different local actors participate in development processes can help to ensure that the most marginalised people in a community can help to shape development action.
- Using the participation cube as a tool to map the levels of participation of different actors at each stage of a project can give insight into where attention needs to be directed.