Work was carried out in three of the country’s four provinces: Balochistan, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Sindh. Since provincial planning requires one set of facts and solutions and district planning another, “focus districts” were selected within each province to demonstrate the process at both levels. Rawalpindi district in Punjab province also participated in the initiative.

Each annual fact-finding cycle collected views and experiences from around 25,000 households. Each topic was also discussed in 2-300 gender-stratified focus groups. Communities and planners considered local solutions for identified problems, and how planners could collaborate with communities to achieve more for the same or lower cost. Their conclusions were formulated as district and provincial plans of action. Findings were widely communicated through the media, adding transparency and political incentive for change.

• Community response to water and sanitation risk, 1997-1998
• The bond of care, 1998-1999
• The gender gap in primary education, 1996-1997