Participatory bottom-up planning (PBUP): Decentralized planning process

• A widely accepted definition of decentralization is that of a broad-based institutional process involving the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to other levels of governance.
• Planning development program with direct involvement of the target beneficiaries, program
• The implementer and various stakeholders involved are called PBUP.
• Under decentralization, responsibilities such as planning, management, and resource raising and allocation may be transferred from central government to:

1. Field units of central government ministries or agencies;
2. Subordinate units or levels of government;
3. Semi-autonomous public authorities or corporations;
4. Area-wide regional or functional authorities;
5. Organizations of the private and voluntary sector.

• Effective implementation of a plan highly depends on the participation of the majority of people to whom it is targeted. High participation can only be achieved if we involve them from the very beginning of the planning process so as to make them realize that they are preparing a need-based plan for themselves.

Features of Participatory bottom-up planning (PBUP)

• It is a farmers, beneficiaries-oriented approach
• It helps to make farmers need-based programs
• Felt needs are identified and incorporated into the program
• It emphasizes on mobilization of local resources

Participatory bottom-up planning (PBUP) tools and techniques

• ASC/AASC level workshop and focused group discussion
• Problem census/problem-solving (PC/PS) for pocket areas
• Participatory rural appraisal and rapid rural appraisal
• Key informant survey
• Knowledge, attitudes, and performance test