Participatory Development is the process to engage the  communities in development projects. It emerged in the 1970's when it was introduced as an important element of the basic needs approach to development. It is aimed at achieving a localised capital accumulation process based on the skills development and local resources generation. It gives communities ability to engage in more ambitious projects involving collective action and management.

Active participation where participants are taking initiative independently by getting help from external institutions to change systems.

Passive participation here people are told what to do what has been decided.

Quasi participation allows communities are involved in certain participation by involving them in the partnership which makes them to see projects as their own and make sure that goals are reached and sustained.

Criticism of Participatory approach

Critics suggests that the developing Countries such as South Africa can disconnect from capitalism and take their own way is possible in our globalised economy.