Participatory Video

Participatory video is a form of participatory media in which a group or community creates their own film. The rationale is that making a video is easy and accessible, and is a great way of bringing people together to explore issues, voice concerns or simply to be creative and tell stories. It is therefore primarily about process, though high quality and accessible films (products) can be created using these methods if that is a desired outcome. This process can be very empowering, enabling a group or community to take their own action to solve their own problems, and also to communicate their needs and ideas to decision-makers and/or other groups and communities. As such, participatory video can be a highly effective tool to engage and mobilize marginalized people, and to help them to implement their own forms of sustainable development based on local needs. The objective of participatory video is to create a climate that encourages individual and group development. The specific technical and organizational skills learnt, and the video produced are part of the work, but it is the positive change that participants go through during the process that is the most important outcome. This informs the activity and approach at every stage of the work. Participatory video can have far-reaching benefits and can be a potent tool for group empowerment (Shaw and Roberson, 1997).

Summary of uses: • Creating a climate that encourages individual and group development • Engaging and mobilizing marginalized people