The global study of ways in which affected populations are consulted and participate in the design, management, follow-up and evaluation of humanitarian programmes was carried out by Groupe URD for the ALNAP network.

What can be done to increase the involvement of crisis- and disaster-affected populations in aid programmes? This is one of the most difficult challenges now facing the humanitarian sector. Even if the participation of beneficiaries in humanitarian action is often mentioned (notably, in the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief), it is often evasive, and more often than not, extremely limited. The reasons for this vary and can be justified to a greater or lesser degree: lack of time, lack of methodological know-how, security of populations and humanitarian staff. And yet, the participation of populations appears to significantly improve the quality of humanitarian programmes
Though the humanitarian community has come round to the idea that affected populations should be consulted and should participate, questions remain about how it is to be done, when it should be done, and when it is important to be careful.

The objectives of this study are:
- To identify and understand existing participation practices, their constraints and their limits (in different cultural contexts, with different types of crises), as well as the opportunities that they present;
- To compile a record of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ practices;
- To understand where certain practices can be applied, taking into consideration the social systems and the dynamics of the crisis situations where they have been used;
- To promote the practices identified for their positive role in increasing quality and accountability.

The ultimate goal of this study was to develop tools and methods for humanitarian actors. A practitioner’s handbook was created to help actors in the field implement a participation strategy at every stage of the project cycle in a variety of operational sectors. It includes an overview of the key issues and a series of participatory tools. The study also aims to clarify political, ethical, and deontological issues connected with consultation and participation.
The Practitioner’s Handbook is complemented by five individual case studies and a compilation book. The Global Study aims to meet the needs of a wide public, whether they be directly or indirectly involved in humanitarian action.

The study included several stages:
- Review of relevant literature (in English, Spanish and French) ;
- A number of case studies (Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Angola, Colombie, DRC and Afghanistan) and publication of monographs
- Writing of practitioner’s handbook
- Publication of final results in summary form.

Intermediary results were presented in October 2002 during an international conference organised by ALNAP in Delhi.

All information concerning this study and the related reports can be found on a specially created internet site: www.globalstudyparticipation.org

A book, 'Bénéficiaires ou partenaires' is on sale in the 'Pratiques humanitaires en question' collection.

The practitioner’s handbook was tested in several field locations in 2004 (Afghanistan, East Congo, Colombia and Liberia) and a general training module on participation practices in humanitarian action was developed. The module was first used in Tanzania as part of a course for project leaders with the Danish Refugee Council. Certain changes were made to the handbook following feedback from users. A pocket guide for fieldworkers has been produced in French and in Spanish.

Unforeseen circumstances and financial constraints have meant that the handbook only exists in draft form in English. It should be translated into French and Spanish in the near future and funding is presently being sought for publication.