About KDP
A Focus On Working Politically
KDP, through its Managing Director and its group of highly experienced Senior Associates, has many years of experience in both thinking and working politically approaches to development.
Through this experience, we picked up particular knowledge about HOW to IMPLEMENT programs that have been designed from a political perspective. These include:
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In environments where institutions – ways of doing things – are predominantly informal, it is more effective also to WORK INFORMALLY;
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What's important is to understand how things actually happen, less so the way they are formally meant to be;
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Therefore, it may be better in most circumstances to meet with people in small groups or even one-on-one, rather than in large groups of potentially mixed interests where people may be reticent to speak about how things actually work, or else some may “grandstand” their presumed views to promote their interests;
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People in positions of formal power may not actually be that powerful at all – it's ideal to find out to which people, organizations or movements decision-makers actually have to listen to – these organizations and movements could be important players to engage;
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Formal coalitions don’t always work that well – members may have differing objectives, though if they are well chosen they should be interested in a similar outcome; and
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Relationships change, sometimes quite rapidly, so Political Analysis is a constant requirement, not just something to be done at the start.
Connecting With The Power For Change
We believe that a key principle of working politically is ensuring that there is enough POWER behind the change being attempted. This commonly means that a less than technically perfect result must be expected. It also often means that groups of interest that have typically been seen as being against each other need to be helped to find a common ground between them.
This requires delicate facilitation, usually in the background. Quite often formal coalitions do not work, but informal, discrete networking and knowledge transfer between previously un-trusting partners is what is needed. Local perceptions and positions can shift through this process, and so effective strategies also must shift. This is why adaptation in approach and expectations is required, along with a flexible approach to managing project elements like staff and money.
Demand Driven Development
This, KDP believes, is what is needed to make development “demand driven” – that is determined by those who must live with and benefit from changes.
It is THEY who must realize the credit given for achievements, and not the supporting programme, whether funded by a donor or by social or foundation capital. Those embracing change in developing environments must be helped to do so because they can see the benefit FOR THEMSELVES, not necessarily because they are challenged to do so or because they fear being held to account, as is expected by models of change that promote good practice measures that mirror the ideals of a functioning capitalist democracy.
Developing This Approach For The Future
KDP aims to deliver advice, and sometimes practice, in doing development differently in this way, and as a critical part of this we seek to develop this way of working in young development practitioners.