CSVR has been conducting research on South Africa’s Community Work Programme (CWP) since
2010. In 2016, the organisation commenced with an effort to strengthen urban violence prevention
interventions carried out by CWP through their work. This report, which is based on the reflections
of CSVR staff who collaborated with CWP participants to pilot new violence prevention interventions,
shares some of CSVR’s lessons on bridging the gap between participatory approaches theory and
practice. These lessons relate to considerations around interventions life cycles, participatory project
planning, budgeting, as well as the importance and challenges associated with iterative learning. The
report also suggests practical considerations and steps to take to determine the level of participation
that is possible and how to maintain it.
