see Tabular representation

Arrangement of interconnected facts or figures in a table with two axis and columns for the purposes of comparison. Used in alternatives analysis.

Those social groups within whose domain the changes defined in a development intervention (development project or -programme) are supposed to take place. The target groups use the goods and/or services delivered, and experience the resultant impact, or enjoy the resultant benefits of a development intervention. Note however that the beneficiary group of an intervention may be wider or narrower than those targeted (e.g. a project targeting rural women would benefit their children). It is useful to differentiate between (1) direct target groups (those people towards measures are directed), (2) indirect target groups (those people who may benefit from indirect effects of measures), (3) implementary target groups ( those people who do not belong to the target population, but are supported because of their strategic importance in relation to the direct target group), (4) target groups for development programmes (subgroups of the population) and (5) target groups for development projects (above all organisations; the population in general only in the frame of pilot schemes as direct target groups, otherwise as indirect target groups)

Target groups must form part of the participants in a development project or -programme but among the participants may be others who are not directly targeted. In a project planning matrix (PPM) the purpose states the utilisation by target groups of the outputs of the development project or -programme.

An empirical analysis of target groups, their perception of their problems, what changes they desire (their objectives) and their scope of action, conducted during the preparation stage of a development project or -programme. Such an analysis does not replace participation, but provides data and information to design a relevant participatory approach (e.g. gender sensitive).

A target groups analysis usually forms part of the situation analysis and participants analysis. A useful tool for target groups analysis is the systems model.

Target group orientation is a methodological approach to, and not merely a principle of development practice. In development design the concern is to move away from the traditional approach which sought to transfer pre-conceived innovations to people. A target group oriented approach involves the adjustment of measures to people, instead of selecting appropriate people who fit (predetermined) measures.

The sector of the total population which belongs to the envisaged beneficiaries of development interventions. In the frame of the original concept of poverty orientation the target population is everybody below the poverty line. In the frame of rural development the target population is the mass of rural small scale producers and traders, farm workers, unemployed and landless people.

See also Target group(s).

The support of people and organisations in developing countries with technical, economic and organisational skills and expertise in the context of an aid agreement between donors and developing countries..

see Civil society

A term coined in the late 1950s to describe the decolonising industrially underdeveloped and economically weak countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). These countries are home to 80% of the world's population but generate less than 30% of industrial production. The terms First World and Second World described the West European and North American and Soviet or Eastern blocs respectively, and were used to delineate the Cold War power blocs and the ex-colonial countries located between the two. Since the demise of the Soviet bloc these terms have been virtually replaced by South (developing countries) and North (industrialised, developed countries).

see also Developing countries

A planning paradigm oriented towards national goals, based on professional/ specialist knowledge. The "top-down" approach to development is to be complemented by bottom-up planning.

see also Bottom-up planning

The "cross-checking" of sources of information. Triangulation demands that every issue be looked at from different angles and different approaches, by different actors.

The hypothesis that benefits from measures targeting (male) heads of households reach women and children. This was disproved: the trickle across between genders does not take place. One reason for this is that the "western" concept of "household" does not correspond to gender roles in other cultures.

The hypothesis that investment and aid directed at few "advanced" or emergent people of developing countries, and the establishment of high tech solutions, would eventually benefit the poor in those countries. The theory has been discredited in the face of the accumulation of wealth so generated in the hands of economic and political elites.