Planact worked closely with the Makhado Local Municipality and GIZ-SLGP (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit-Strengthening Local Government Programme) in piloting a participatory budgeting (PB) project in Makhado region (Region 1 of the municipality). The preparation phase was completed in June 2011 including a status quo analysis report and the development of a proposed implementation plan approved by the municipal council and related materials development (PB implementation and facilitation manuals) for capacity building sessions. Support was provided for the implementation phase through introductory sessions with community leaders in three village areas particularly the traditional councils who agreed to provide space for community meetings and to assist in mobilising community members to actively participate in the discussion forums. These introductory sessions also led to revisions to the implementation plan to better coordinate the community discussion forums so that priorities are effectively identified.

The first thematic sector forum meeting took place separately in these three villages which involved 128 community members identifying their priority needs with regards to infrastructure and electing community representatives to take the village level priorities to the broader ward level discussions. This was followed by a ward assembly bringing together representatives of the three villages to debate and prioritise the needs of the ward. This process involved reaching agreement on priorities and indicated the need for improved facilitation methods to ensure effective participation of all present and consolidation of information. Participants also identified a clear role for ward committee members and community development workers in assisting with facilitation in these discussions.