Participatory Video

Brief Description:

Participatory Video (PV) is a set of techniques to involve a group or community in shaping and creating their own films.

Description:

PV is a group activity that uses video to aid learning and engagement. It allows participants to use video equipment to be creative and tell their own stories about different issues. The process of film making is equally as important as the film itself. Both can be used as a means to greater participation.

Used For:

As a tool by communities for group and individual development as well as to scrutinise their problems and find solutions.

Suitable participants:

Local members of a community and/or particular groups to focus engagement on.

Cost:

Medium/High

Costs include acquiring video cameras and organising workshops for participants to meet and review what has been done.

Time Requirements:

These can be lengthy due to the time it takes for participants to make and edit the video with as well as scheduled workshops for group discussions.

When To Use / What It Can Deliver:

PV has been applied to projects such as:

• Community development,

• Promoting local innovation,

• A voice for marginalised groups,

• Community led action,

• To communicate with policy makers.

When Not To Use / What It Cannot Deliver:

• To resolve complex, polarised issues.

• For larger, non-communities or groups.

Strengths:

• Puts control in participants hands.

• Empowers members.

• Improves technological skills.

Weaknesses:

• Equipment can be expensive if used by many.

Origin:

The origins of Participatory Video are in the work of Don Snowden during the 1960's. He used media to enable a people-centered community approach with a small fishing community on the Fogo Islands off the eastern coast of Canada. The films made by the villagers were shown to politicians and helped change government policy as a result of the collaborative techniques used, which became known as the Fogo process. Snowden went on the promote this technique around the world. PV has grown since then with the accessibility of home video equipment.

Case Studies:

Related Methods

• Participatory GIS

Restrictions In Use

Further Information

For further information, please see:

Lunch, N & C. (2006) Insight's into Participatory Video: a handbook for the field. Available at: http://www.insightshare.org/training_book.html

Popular Methods

21st Century Town Meeting

Citizens Jury

Deliberative Polling

Open Space

Participatory Appraisal

Participatory Budgeting

Webcasting