LFA and Participation in Development across Borders: A case study of LFA in the Swedish supported development program PDR in Arequipa, Peru.

Abstract: The Logical Framework Approach is applied in development projects all over the world. The Swedish aid agency Sida also encourages all aid organizations who receives funds from them or their umbrella organization Forum Syd to use the LFA for the improvement of development programs. However, the LFAs applicability in development interventions has been seriously criticized by researchers and by NGOs themselves. Therefore, this single case study of Svalorna Latinamerika´s rural development program PDR in Peru will aim at investigating LFAs applicability in practice with a focus on participation. The study will provide an overview of peoples views of LFA concerning its appreciated utility in designing and implementing development programs, its inadequacy in measuring development work and its vague effect in creating participation. This will be done by conducting semi-structured interviews with the people working in PDR regarding their views of LFA and participation. The results will then be compared with LFAs purpose, stated in Sidas theory of LFA, and theories of participation. Hope lies in that this study’s empirical data will lead to further discussion of LFAs shortage in development interventions and inspire action for the improvement of such a widespread instrument.