Abstract:
The purpose of this Research is to assess the situations of participation at grassroots level with
the particular reference to Meta wolkite Woreda Administration. The problems associated with
public participation are lack of genuine participation, , lack of commitment by the Woreda
government structure to create a space for public participation. The objective of this research is
to explore the public participation in local development in the case of Meta WolkiteDistrict. The
research was descriptive in type and used mixed research methods, both qualitative and
quantitative data collection methodologies. Sampling techniques included questionnaires,
interviews, and literature reviews, which were used as primary and secondary data sources,
respectively. The findings of the study indicate that there are general legal provisions about the
right of the public to participate in the development of their affairs. The capacity of Woreda
Government is inadequate to facilitate participation in development. Participat ion is undertaken
through financial, material, labor, and professional services.. Participation in development is topdown
approach in Meta wolkite Administration, which characterized by elites‘ domination of
decisions making. The overall extent of public participation is low in Meta wolkite
Administration. Participation in development results in a relatively better personal empowerment
compared to social and political empowerment. It enhances economic empowerment through
creating access to economic resources and opportunity structure that enhance economic
empowerment. It‘s concluded that if the public get Awareness and favorable platform to
participate in development activities and their concerns are given due consideration by the
Government, it has the power to solve its problems by itself. However, public participation in
development is not to the extent that brings transformation and does not bring people who are
outside the decision making process in to it. The public is recognized as passive recipients of
development benefits and clients rather than agent and participant in development efforts. The
role of government has to be limited to facilitation rather than maker and provider of local
development. The Woreda Government needs intensive capacity building that creates responsive
and effective public administration.
