Knowledge and Participation in Development Cooperation: Comparative Analysis of Millennium Village Project and WFP Food for New Village

Abstract

Knowledge and Participation has become important factors and agreed norms in development theory and also in practice. The very act of participation on multiple levels produces knowledge sharing and likewise, knowledge acquisition in forms of diverse methods acts as a catalyst for participation. However, it still remains in discussion of what is the best knowledge sharing and participatory approach in development interventions to improve livelihood and alleviate poverty. This thesis aims to analyze how knowledge and participation is incorporated in international development projects by comparing the existing mechanisms of development projects. The selected case studies are the Millennium Promises Millennium Village Project (MVP) and World Food Programme (WFP)s Food for New Village (FFNV) Project. By taking a comparative method using World Banks Comprehensive Development Framework, the study analyzes how knowledge and participation is designed in the activities.