Research Reports
Evaluation of Rural Village Development Programs and Suggestions for Participatory Village Development Model
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AuthorSong, Miryung
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Publication Date2004.12.01
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Original
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to delve into rural villagers' participation in rural village development programs and projects and evaluate their successes and failures, and barriers, and to suggest a better model for participatory rural village development programs. For this, interview and questionnaire surveys of a number of key actors and 134 villagers in 20 sample villages were carried out. In addition, observation studies and an opinion survey of experts in the field were also conducted.
First, after the year 2000, major emphasis on villagers' participation in the contents and campaign of rural village development programs and projects has been noted, and therefore, the rural village development programs and projects in this period are designated as 'participatory rural village development programs and projects'. Following the designation, the positive correlation between their successes and villagers' participation was construed, and in return, its analysis was judged to be in due order and carried out, using various indices in order to avoid the pitfalls of previous qualitative studies.
It was found that, at each stage of village development programs and projects, there were differences in the form and level of villagers' participation. At the early stage of initiation and planning, while only a limited number of villagers were actively participated in planning and preparation, the rest played a very passive role, at most attending the meeting and so on. However, at the implementation stage, the division of labor and roles was emerged and the forms and levels of participation were diversified, e.g., some offering knowledge and expertise and others, labor. Clearly, while villagers' participation bore anticipated successes, up to a certain degree, in various aspects economic, social and environmental, in many cases, conflicts among villagers were observed also. Statistical analysis clearly revealed the positive correlation, i.e., the correlation coefficient of 0.67.
From this analysis, it became clear that the participatory model requires the existence of a mobilizer, outside support and interests, and an appropriate incentive and compensation mechanism. With these requirements satisfied and conditions set in motion, a better participatory model implies that, as a rural village development program and project being implemented, a level of participation and a division of labor and roles will increase and progress toward villagers' self-empowerment.
Current rural village development programs and projects immediately need to reorient their focus so that, approaching more slowly to the selection process of a program village, villagers' will to self-empowerment and entrepreneurial spirit can be encouraged and nurtured. In addition, the contents of the village development programs and projects also need to shift their orientation from income-doubling programs and projects targeting outsiders toward the improvement of villagers' own welfare and toward long-term management and preservation of village resources from the macro perspective of national settlement planning and management. Also, in order to reduce wastes and costs, a separate entity must oversee budget and expenditures, and in turn village representatives can audit this entity for its effectiveness and any impropriety. For the further enhancement and improvement of rural village development programs and projects, not only a post-op support program of a pool of experts but also a continuous training and education program of villagers must be included. Finally, in order to extend beneficial results and effects of a rural development program and project beyond the concerned village into a surrounding region, a mechanism to link the development program and project to other related programs and projects in the region must be devised and built into the very program and project.
Researchers: Song, Mi-Ryung and Seong, Joo-In
E-mail Address: mrsong@krei.re.kr
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