Rural Community Participation Research Articles

Managing biodiversity on private land: Directions for collaboration through reconciliation ecology

SummaryNatural resource management in Australia is beset with ‘wicked’ problems: diminishing biodiversity, increasing soil erosion, spreading soil salinity and global climate change all impact private landholders across rural Australia. These problems highlight the complexity of biodiversity conservation, and the need for inclusive, respectful approaches that enable the participation of rural communities, private landholders and government agencies to effectively manage biodiversity on public and private lands. To address these problems, some landholders, rural communities and other stakeholders are seeking evidence‐based solutions through directly applicable research. In this paper, we identify current barriers to such research and highlight principles and processes for co‐designing and managing research based on mutual trust, respect, power sharing and acceptance of various knowledge systems, as embodied in the theory of reconciliation ecology. We suggest that a ‘community of practice’ approach could assist in establishing effective deliberative relations as a basis for active collaboration in natural resource management research to address these complex problems.

Towards a Communication Ecology in the Life of Rural Senior Citizens: How Rural Public Spaces Influence Community Engagement

The dilemma of weak participation and non-participation of rural communities is a universal topic of global development. The rural public space is an important field for local residents to interact, communicate, and engage with each other, and is an important place for the sustainable development of rural areas. However, previous studies have neglected to understand the intrinsic connection between rural public space and community participation from the perspective of community communication ecology. Based on the concept of age-friendly communities, this study’s fieldwork in rural Shanghai, China, using the methodology of grounded theory, found that physical, social, and psychological factors all have an impact on community engagement among rural residents. Specifically, environmental quality, facility support, community networks, social participation, call to action, place attachment, spatial perception, and self-transformation are identified as the core elements that significantly influence community engagement among rural residents. This study further reveals that the multiple factors influencing community engagement among rural residents are complex and interdependent rather than operating independently. Spatial support, communicative triggers, and symbolic identification, respectively, operate at the technological level (physical–social factors), social level (social–psychological factors), and discursive level (psychological–physical factors) to promote community engagement among older adults in Chinese rural areas. Through this research, we hope to further the realization of rural civic engagement and the sustainability of local communities and to provide scholarly insights into the promotion of more equitable community life.

Mothers, social capital and children’s physical literacy journeys in rural Australia

ABSTRACT In rural communities in Australia, the provision of sport and physical activities for children almost exclusively relies upon parents and their ability to access and contribute to facilities, funding, volunteers, and administration. This paper brings Putnam’s social capital framework to Whitehead’s conceptualisation of physical literacy as a journey to offer original insight into children’s sport participation and the opportunities arising for physical literacy development in rural communities in Australia. Changes in sport participation in Australia and directions in sport policy set an important context for the project, which is located in a small rural community in Western Australia. It was recognised that access to and engagement with both formal and informal sport environments were important to examine, particularly given participation trends and the need to consider issues of equity and inclusivity concerning the physical literacy opportunities for children in diverse rural communities. Narrative inquiry methodology enabled in-depth exploration of issues of access and opportunity created through rural mothers’ social resources and identity. Participants provided rich insights into the realities and complexities of the rural social landscape and how this impacts their children’s participation. Data illustrates the importance of conceptual links between social capital and physical literacy development. The paper provides new perspectives for policymakers and the local community to consider in seeking more significant equity in children’s sport participation and physical literacy development in rural communities.

Impact of Residential Satisfaction and Place Attachment on Digital Nomads’ Rural Community Participation

Impact of Residential Satisfaction and Place Attachment on Digital Nomads’ Rural Community Participation

Unit Committees and Participation in Community Development: Does Spatial Location Matter?

The unit committee in Ghana’s local government is believed to facilitate participatory development. After decades of practice, there is little research on the unit committee’s role in participatory development. This paper contributes to this research gap by drawing on the experiences of participants sampled from the Kumasi Metropolitan and Ahafo Ano South-west districts. The paper argues that the unit committee–participatory development interface is spatially differentiated. While unit committees promoted instrumental participation in urban localities, their counterparts promoted transformative participation in rural communities. The findings suggest a rethink of the role of sub-district structures to reflect spatial characteristics of their localities.

The Institutional Change Dynamics of Village-Owned Enterprises in East Java: Accelerating the Welfare of Rural Communities

Village-owned enterprises are an institutional form, which embodies the participation of rural communities in the economy based on profit and mutual cooperation that is expected to be able to encourage village independence in economy. This definition will encourage how the institutional projections change and how adaptation is needed both from within the institution or from outside the institution. The dynamics in village-owned enterprises have various challenges to resolve the main problem regarding the quality of human resources and infrastructures. This article explains how the dynamics of institutional change and various forms of revitalization and growth of village-owned enterprises use the theory of institutional change approach. The study has found that village-owned enterprises in East Java have become a forum for managing every socioeconomic element into a single unit that produces economic value to improve the welfare of rural communities. Innovation and adaptation as well as human development have become the main drivers of village-owned enterprises sustainability and resilience in digitalized era.
 Keywords: village-owned enterprises, institutional change, revitalization, welfare

Analysis of Successful Cases Based on Rural Heritage Conservation and Community Participation

Analysis of Successful Cases Based on Rural Heritage Conservation and Community Participation

ENHANCING RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH POLITICAL TRANSPARENCY

Political transparency plays a pivotal role in strengthening active participation and awareness of rural communities in local development processes. . This study aims to analyze the role of political transparency in shaping empowered and resilient rural communities. The primary focus is to understand the positive impact of political transparency on active participation of village residents, enhancing accountability of local government, and driving sustainable development. The research employs a qualitative descriptive analysis approach, combining primary and secondary data. Primary data is gathered through interviews with local leaders, community figures, and village residents, while secondary data is derived from official documents and relevant literature studies. The findings indicate that the implementation of political transparency significantly enhances the participation of rural communities in the development process.

Community-based natural resource management and social exclusion in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), which is aimed at ensuring meaningful participation of rural communities in decision-making and promoting sustainable utilisation of natural resources, has been criticised for excluding local communities from decision-making. Using the concept of social exclusion and a qualitative approach, the study's main objective was to analyse the exclusion faced by the minority Doma ethnic group in the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) programme in northern Zimbabwe. Findings showed that the Doma were excluded from decision-making related to wildlife management by powerful stakeholders, who included political elites, local authority officials, government conservation authorities, and the safari operator. The crux of this exclusion revolved around the large differences between their livelihood practices and those of the other stakeholders, their low-status position and peripheral location. The Doma also participated in their exclusion as they decided to take an indifferent approach to CAMPFIRE.

Rural health dialogue for the sustainability of help-seeking behaviors among older patients: grounded theory approach

BackgroundHelp-seeking behaviors (HSBs) are essential for disease prevention and health promotion. Dialogues with peers and medical professionals can improve HSBs, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Rural communities lacking healthcare resources require effective HSBs for healthcare sustainability. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of health dialogues between medical professionals and rural citizens on their HSBs.MethodsAll procedures complied with the Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent amendments. The Unnan City Hospital Clinical Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (No. 20,220,002). A grounded theory approach was employed for the health dialogue participants in rural communities. Health dialogues with family physicians were conducted once a month at rural community centers. The dialogues and focus group interviews were recorded and coded to investigate changes in participants’ perceptions and behaviors regarding HSBs.ResultsTwenty-one dialogues were conducted in two rural community centers, with a total of 112 participants. The average age of the participants was 70.2 years (standard deviation = 5.4), with 24% being males. Analysis of the grounded theory approach revealed four themes, namely joy-driven dialogue driving the realization of HSBs, reflection on personal HSBs through learning from others, revising HSBs based on rural social resources, and familiarity with physicians, hence motivating safe and secure HSBs.ConclusionsMitigation of barriers between citizens and medical professionals and improvement of psychological safety in communities can drive effective HSBs in rural communities.

Enhancing Political Awareness and Participation in Rural Communities: A Case Study of KKN Program in Asilulu, Indonesia


 
 
 
 
 
 This research investigates the effectiveness of the Real Work Lecture (KKN) program in increasing political awareness and participation among rural communities in Asilulu, Indonesia. The study aims to address the lack of political education and the prevalence of electoral fraud and voter apathy in the region. Through a community-based approach, the KKN program implemented various methods such as counseling, training, socialization, and group assistance. The study utilized qualitative data collected from government officials and community members, indicating a positive response and high active participation. The results highlight the success of the program in promoting a positive political narrative and combating practices such as money politics and abstention. The implications of this study contribute to the development of effective strategies for political education and encourage greater citizen engagement in political processes.
 Highlight:
 
 Community empowerment through Real Work Lecture (KKN) program
 Importance of political education in rural communities
 Promoting positive political narratives through socialization
 
 Keyword:
 Real Work Lecture, Community Empowerment, Political Education, Socialization, Active Citizen Engagement
 
 
 
 
 

Enhancing Political Awareness and Participation in Rural Communities: A Case Study of KKN Program in Asilulu, Indonesia


 
 
 
 
 
 This research investigates the effectiveness of the Real Work Lecture (KKN) program in increasing political awareness and participation among rural communities in Asilulu, Indonesia. The study aims to address the lack of political education and the prevalence of electoral fraud and voter apathy in the region. Through a community-based approach, the KKN program implemented various methods such as counseling, training, socialization, and group assistance. The study utilized qualitative data collected from government officials and community members, indicating a positive response and high active participation. The results highlight the success of the program in promoting a positive political narrative and combating practices such as money politics and abstention. The implications of this study contribute to the development of effective strategies for political education and encourage greater citizen engagement in political processes.
 Highlight:
 
 Community empowerment through Real Work Lecture (KKN) program
 Importance of political education in rural communities
 Promoting positive political narratives through socialization
 
 Keyword:
 Real Work Lecture, Community Empowerment, Political Education, Socialization, Active Citizen Engagement
 
 
 
 
 

Where, why and who delivers our babies? Examining the perspectives of women on utilization of antenatal and delivery services in a developing country

BackgroundThe differences in maternal mortality between developed and developing countries is due to differences in use of antenatal and delivery services. The study was designed to determine the views of women on utilization of antenatal and delivery services in urban and rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria.MethodsCommunity based descriptive exploratory study design was employed. Qualitative data was collected through use of pre-tested focus group discussion (FGD) guide. Eight FGDs were conducted among women who were pregnant and others who have delivered babies one year prior to the study. Four FGDs each were conducted in urban and rural communities. QDA Miner Lite v2.0.6 was used in the analysis of the data.ResultsMost of the participants in urban and rural areas prefer the man and woman deciding on where to receive antenatal and deliver care. All the participants in urban and rural communities wish for the support of their husbands when pregnant. Perceived quality of care is the major reason the women choose a facility for antenatal and delivery services. Others reasons included cost of services and proximity to a facility. Participants in rural communities were of the opinion that traditional birth attendants deliver unique services including helping women to achieve conception. For participants in urban, traditional birth attendants are very friendly and perhaps on divine assignment. These reasons explain why women still patronize their services. The major criticism of services of traditional birth attendants is their inability to manage complications associated with pregnancy and delivery. The major reasons why women delivery at home included poverty and cultural beliefs.ConclusionsAll efforts should be made to reduce the huge maternal death burden in Nigeria. This may necessitate the involvement of men and by extension communities in antenatal and delivery matters. There is need to train health workers in orthodox health facilities on delivery of quality healthcare. Public enlightenment on importance of health facility delivery will be of essence. Encouraging women to deliver in health facilities should be prioritized. This may entail the provision of free or subsidized delivery services. The deficiencies of primary health centers especially in rural communities should be addressed.

A Systematic Literature Review on Smart City Project Initiatives for Rural Community Participation

Most democratic governments have prioritizedoffering people more significant input in government decision-making and promoting public participation in policy creation. People and governments may now effectively integrate formerly unsurmountable gaps in their relationships thanks to advances in digital and information technologies. "Smart City" technologies are not a new term in today's urbanizationdevelopment field; however, this "Smart City" technologies term is likely unfamiliar with the rural area, as the rural area is sometimes assumed to perform poorly in the development of innovative city initiatives, which are mostly being pioneered by the local government authority with a focus on a city or urban region. Citizens can now participate in decision-making and policy-making due to the smart city project initiative, which cannot be disregarded entirely; unfortunately, rural population participation remains limited. This conceptual research aims to examine smart city project aspirations for the rural community public participation framework. The author comprehends the importance of including significant public participation in all parts of the planning process. The methodology behind this researchis based on a detailed study of the scholarly literature that has already been done. The conclusions of the research were derived from a number of different reading materials, such as books, journals, and other sources on smart city programsfor public participation in rural areas.

Resourcefulness, narratives, and identity in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education: A perspective of makerspaces for rural communities in Colombia

Disparities of scientific education (STEM) in rural and remote communities are exacerbating inequalities and taking away opportunities for youth to explore their scientific interests and participate in science-making globally. Maker education in rural and remote areas of Latin America could boost the participation of rural communities in scientific education and open alternatives to the lack of higher literacy rates and STEM education. In Colombia, tertiary education has been making efforts to close this gap through the Itinerant Technical Academies of Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA: National Learning Service). Participants in the Technical Academies create relevant technologies for their context, reflecting on their cultural values and aesthetics. In this contribution, we describe three projects conducted in the itinerant Technical Academies of rural Colombia in Narino to exemplify how participants made their artifacts relevant to their culture using available resources, materials, and practices. Students are using available resources to create artifacts that are relevant to their social contexts and aligned with constructivist practices. We propose and discuss three characteristics that have emerged in makerspaces situated in rural Colombia: (i) Narratives, (ii) Resourcefulness, and (iii) Identities and we suggest that makers, scholars, policymakers, and educators should pay attention to those three elements to guide future studies and further research on maker education in the Global South.

Partisipasi Masyarakat Desa dalam Pembangunan (Studi di Desa Amasara Kecamatan Baito Kabupaten Konawe Selatan)

This study aims to see the participation of rural communities in development in Amasara Village, Baito District, South Konawe Regency. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method through direct interviews with informants. The informants in this study consisted of 8 people consisting of the village head, village secretary, Kaur (Head of Affairs) development and 5 people from the community. The results showed that the village community in development in Amasara Village, Baito District, South Konawe Regency was very involved, which can be seen from the involvement of the Amasara Village community which when starting from development planning through the Musrembang, the Amasara village community was always present and gave opinions related to the development program that was carried out. will be carried out in their village and in the process of implementing development the Amasara village community is always directly involved, for example, during the construction of a farm road, all communities are involved, for example, someone cuts the weeds around the construction of a farm road. However, not only the fathers who were involved but the mothers also participated in the construction by preparing various foods and drinks during the implementation of the construction.

Kontestasi Politik dalam Pemilihan Kepala Desa di Desa Cambai Kecamatan Tulung Selapan Kabupaten OKI Sumatera Selatan Tahun 2021

The political contestation event in the Village Head Election which will be held on October 12, 2021, in Cambai Village, Tulung Selapan District, OKI Regency is a form of government authority for the village to regulate and manage the interests of its community following Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages and strengthened by the PP of the Republic of Indonesia Number 72 of 2005 which involves the participation of rural communities in developing democratic life. The accumulation of capital owned by political contestants in the form of social capital, economic capital and political capital played a very important role in the contestants' success in winning the Cambai Village Head election. conflict and competition during the village head election. Method The research approach used is a descriptive approach Qualitative with the Inductive Sociology method, which is a method that departs from the existing socio-political realities and political events that appear on the surface to be analyzed comprehensively and linked to theories and concepts that have strong relevance. Conclusion: With his social capital strength, Syaipul Mesa managed to win this contest and could beat the political and economic capital ownership of other candidates for the Cambai Village Head, namely Zamharo and Alan Januar. The greater the accumulated capital owned by a candidate, the greater the support they will get from the village community.

Distribution and conservation of vanilla crop wild relatives: the value of local community engagement for biodiversity research

Natural vanilla is a high-value crop with demand increasing globally. Crop wild relatives (CWR) represent valuable agrobiodiversity and are prioritized in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Vanilla species are naturally rare with historically infrequent botanical collections. Despite their importance as CWR, fewer than 10% of Vanilla species have been evaluated for the IUCN Red List. Colombia is a diversity center for Vanilla species, yet many remote regions are lacking detailed floristic characterization. We show that the participation of rural communities in scientific endeavor enhances capacity to register biodiversity. We report two Vanilla species in the under-explored region of the Serranía de las Quinchas in the mid–Magdalena River valley in Colombia, including the first report for Colombia of Vanilla karen-christianae. For this, and the second species, Vanilla dressleri, we present descriptions with photographic botanical illustrations, updated distribution maps, and preliminary conservation status assessment. Both species are of elevated conservation concern, categorized as Endangered – EN: B2a,b(ii,iii,iv,v) following IUCN criteria. Within Colombia, all recorded occurrences for both species fall outside protected areas. Vanilla crop wild relatives in Colombia have urgent conservation needs. The Serranía de las Quinchas is a priority for further botanical exploration for Vanilla, as well as other protected areas with appropriate habitat. In situ conservation should be complemented with ex situ actions. Community participation in biodiversity research is recommended in this and other remote regions as an integral step towards enhancing biodiversity research and community-based conservation.

Exploring environmental measures in disability: Using Google Earth and Street View to conduct remote assessments of access and participation in urban and rural communities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act has been in place since 1990. Yet, we still do not know the actual levels of accessibility in the nation, how access varies across communities or over time, or how it influences participation in community life. The present two studies explored the use of Google Earth (GE) and Google Street View (GSV) imagery as a database for examining the accessibility of rural and urban cities and towns in the United States. We developed procedures for selecting places in a community to observe multiple access features. Study 1 reports the findings from assessments of 25 communities across 17 states. We observed ≈50,000 m (31 miles) of pathways through the observed places. The Combined Access Score (CAS) averaged 65% across these communities. In Study 2, we evaluated 22 towns and cities in a large rural state. We observed ≈77,000 m (48 miles) of pathways through the Central Business Districts observed as core areas connecting people to community life. The CAS averaged 83.9% across these communities. We noted a Rural Access Penalty (RAP), such that rural areas tended to be less accessible, leading to less community participation. The method for using GSV to examine accessibility is discussed. This study demonstrates an inexpensive and reliable method for evaluating the accessibility of communities and participation in them. Future research should be conducted to gather a larger sample of communities in order to create a baseline from which to monitor changes in accessibility of infrastructure over time.

Architecting rural smartness: A collaborative platform design for rural digital business ecosystem

AbstractThe wide urban–rural economic gap, particularly in developing countries, has led to various problems. To lower the gap, the participation of rural communities in digital business ecosystems is being viewed as a promising approach. To this end, we use design science research methodology to present a reference architecture of a rural smartness platform that facilitates the emergence of a smarter business ecosystem. This ecosystem embodies the characteristics of rural smartness, which are empirically proven to have a strong positive impact on improving the rural economic climate. Evaluation by means of expert opinion, technical action research, and empirical research suggest that the proposed architecture effectively improves the rural economic climate and is feasible to be implemented in a real‐world setting. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the establishment of a digital business ecosystem for rural communities, particularly by proposing a solution resulting from a design science perspective that is backed by empirical evidence.