What we do – Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC)

Our approach

PPRC uses a holistic approach to research, utilizing economic, anthropological, political economy, business and sociological insights. With networks into grass root as well as policy circles, we are able to capture changing realities and evolving aspirations. This, incorporated with cutting edge research methods, compelling analytical presentation and strategic policy advocacy, help us to distinguish our work.

PPRC plays a key role at every stage of a project. For the research conducted by the institute, we conceptualize and develop the research design, followed by implementation of the research with a combination of primary and secondary data analysis. The primary and secondary data is processed and analyzed to produce analytical reports, policy briefs and academic publications.

Core Themes

Poverty and social protection

PPRC’s poverty research had its origin in the pioneering research project, Analysis of Poverty Trends Project (APT), conceived and led by Hossain Zillur Rahman in the late 1908s and early 1990s. Many of the issues first projected through that research and the subsequent publication Re-Thinking Rural Poverty (SAGE, 1995) such as monga, crisis and vulnerability and extreme poverty went on to become central elements of the national poverty agenda. Starting from survival dynamics, safety nets, monga elimination, marginal communities, poverty pockets, MDGs and SDGs, nutrition and universal health coverage (UHC), the Centre’s poverty research has increasingly focused on issues of social protection, graduation, the interface with growth and markets, and the impact of macro trends.

PPRC team’s research from 1990 to 2007 served a critical role in scaling up policy engagement with the issue of monga and extreme poverty. The organization has also led national efforts on scaling up social protection through comprehensive studies on safety nets, including Safety Nets in Bangladesh Volumes 1 & 2 (PPRC & UNDP).

PPRC’s current engagement on the poverty agenda is on the efficacy of safety nets (Spot Checks of five major Disaster Ministry programs) and bringing to policy attention the third poverty frontier, namely excluded and marginalized communities (EU-supported project being implemented jointly with SEHD).

Urban & Environment

PPRC has emerged as one of the key players in addressing critical knowledge gaps and advocating for a holistic perspective on urban challenges. With support from The World Bank and DFID PPRC has conducted a series of studies on urban spatial and economic growth, migration and labour markets, urban finance, access to services and urban poverty. PPRC has also developed an urban database for Bangladesh in collaboration with Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The Centre’s urban research from 2009 to 2016 led to three major publications – Urban Bangladesh (2011) Bangladesh Urban Dynamics (2012) and The Urban Spectrum: Metropolitan to Mofussil (2016)– and an international conference on Urban Poverty: Challenges of Perspective and Action, which brought together national and international key stakeholders from different sectors. New studies are underway to address multidimensional poverty and inclusive growth in Dhaka.

PPRC team’s research from 1990 to 2007 served a critical role in scaling up policy engagement with the issue of monga and extreme poverty. The organization has also led national efforts on scaling up social protection through comprehensive studies on safety nets, including Safety Nets in Bangladesh Volumes 1 & 2 (PPRC & UNDP).

PPRC’s current engagement on the poverty agenda is on the efficacy of safety nets (Spot Checks of five major Disaster Ministry programs) and bringing to policy attention the third poverty frontier, namely excluded and marginalized communities (EU-supported project being implemented jointly with SEHD).

Governance and politics

Governance is a core research and advocacy priority with a series of ground-breaking publications over the years which include Local Governance and Community Capacities (2002), Unbundling Governance (2007), Governance Trends and Perceptions (2013). PPRC pursues frontier research on governance indicators, process realities and solution entry points. Using such innovative research, the Centre has promoted politically-intelligent governance agendas including local governance. PPRC also has a track record of conducting opinion surveys on the electoral process both at national and local levels. PPRC engagement on governance research is informed by a broader understanding of political dynamics and the challenges of democratic transition.Over the years some of the Centre’s ground-breaking publications have included Local Governance and Community Capacities (2002), Governance and State Effectiveness (2006), Unbundling Governance (2007), Governance Trends and Perceptions (2013) and Politics, Governance and Middle Income Aspirations (2016).

Economy and growth

PPRC has three main concerns on the issues of economy and growth – inclusive growth, impact of macro trends,long-term strategic visions and alternative economic trends indicators. Of particular interest has been the focus on the meso-economy i.e. the economic space where the poverty and growth processes interface most intimately. At another end, PPRC has collaborated with business chambers in developing a long-term strategic vision on accelerating inclusive growth.

Education and human development

Despite high enrollment and gender parity, drop-out and completion rates remain major causes of concerns. Moreover, there are large gaps on skills and quality of education in general. Addressing these strategic gaps is a PPRC research and advocacy priority. The Centre has assisted Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in drafting the National Plan of Action as well as in developing a guide-book for primary education governance. PPRC has also undertaken research on costs of secondary education and prepared regional progress reports on secondary education.

Health

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have elevated health from a sectoral priority to a strategic, cross cutting component of the global agenda. The Centre has focused its research and advocacy attention on the interface of health with economics and governance. In order to increase local awareness about Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals and policy buy-in for the UHC agenda, PPRC facilitated the formation of a cross-sectoral civic platform “Healthy Bangladesh” with leading health professionals and service providers, economists, fitness advocates and civic and policy activists. The four inter-linked priorities of Healthy Bangladesh are: UHC (accessible, affordable and quality healthcare), Nutrition, Cleanliness and Physical Fitness. PPRC most recently launched a research initiative on UHC progress indicators.

Our Projects

Current Projects

Upcoming Projects

Project Archive

Highlighted Project Archive

all other projects Archive

Social Initiatives

Beyond its research and advocacy activities, PPRC has a track record of innovative social action that emphasize the resilience of citizens. These include:

An important aim that the Centre defined for itself from the beginning was not only to undertake activities but to do so with a larger goal of being consequential whether in big or small ways. Pursuing such an aim required clarity in understanding impact. PPRC has been pursuing impact in three spheres:

1989 – 1998

Formative Years

The PPRC team had its origin in the 62 Village Analysis of Poverty Trends Project (APT) initiated by Hossain Zillur Rahman at BIDS in 1989. The project lasted till 1998 and played a crucial role in influencing poverty reduction strategies in Bangladesh. The Rethinking Rural Poverty book was published by SAGE International (1995) based on the APT project research.

1996

PPRC Inception

The formal launch of PPRC occurred through the registration of PPRC as a Trust in 1996. The initial Trustee Board consisted of APT researchers and associates from civil society.

1997

The Journey Starts

The formal journey of PPRC began with a governance research supported by the Ford Foundation and self funded research on elections and citizens’ opinions on political trends.

1998

Conference on Poverty: Emerging Challenges

Professor Teodor Shanin of Manchester University and colleagues from South Africa and Professor Ahmed Kamal from Dhaka University at PPRC office.

1999

Research Activism

PPRC team undertook a self funded social rehabilitation initiative of flood affected urban poor in Rishipara, Keraniganj. On the research front, PPRC introduced an innovative urban research methodology: The report card on quality of urban services in Dhaka City.

2000

Logo Unveiling

Nobel Laureate Dr.Yunus inaugurates the new PPRC office.

2001

PPRC Initiates Electoral Research

PPRC undertook investigation into voter list anomalies at the request of the the-then Chief Election commissioner and citizen opinion surveys on the 2001 election. PPRC Chairman Dr. Hossain Zillur speaks to the media at the release ceremony of the study results.

2002

Launch of Local Government Support Group

After nearly a year of mobilizational efforts on decentralization, PPRC facilitated the launch of the civil society platform, Local Government Support Group, with Professor Yunus as convener and PPRC as secretariat. All key decentralization advocates were on the platform.

2003

Partnership with Government

PPRC in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government organized the first ever national orientation workshop for the newly elected Union Parishad chairman and members.

2004

Strategic Planning

The PPRC team went on a strategic retreat at BARD, Comilla to chart its next focus areas.

2005

Nurturing Young Researchers

Developing research capacity, particularly of younger researchers is a key goal of PPRC. PPRC organized its first interactive methodological workshop. The three day workshop brought established and younger researchers from universities and research organizations around the country. PPRC also awarded research grants to selected young researchers.

2006

Felicitating Nobel Win

PPRC was the core organizer of the largest national reception to Professor Yunus upon his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The PPRC together with partners organized the event on 16th October, 2006 at the BICC just three days after he was awarded the prize.

2007

Unbundling Governance

Book launching event of PPRC’s prominent publication on Bangladesh governance, ‘Unbundling Governance’. Professor Rehman Sobhan, Dr.Hua Du, and Dr. Akbar Ali Khan were present among other prestigious panelists.

2008

PPRC Chairman Inducted into Caretaker Cabinet

PPRC Chairman was appointed Advisor (Cabinet Minister) for Education and Commerce in the Caretaker Government.

2009

Pitha Uthshob

PPRC hosted a “Pitha Uthshob” ( winter festival with local delicacies) to celebrate the Bangali New Year. The event brought together partners, friends and family of the PPRC family with pitha, music and cultural programs on the occasion of the Chairman’s rejoining after his stint in the Caretaker Government.

2010

PPRC Studies the Global Recession Aftermath

PPRC’s work involves analyzing both national and international economic scenes. The policy seminar titled “Global Recession and Bangladesh Economy: Macro and Meso Trends” showcased research from a PPRC study in the presence of thought leader and stakeholders.

2011

Scaling up Social Protection Research

The final volume of the two-volume comprehensive study of social safety nets was launched by the State Minister for planning and UNDP country director in the presence of a cross sectional group of high profile stakeholders. The PPRC study led to the international conference on social protection later that year inaugurated by the honorable Prime Minister.

2012

Bringing Urban Economy into Research Focus

PPRC opened a major new research front on urban economics that culminated in the launch of the publication, ‘Bangladesh Urban Dynamics’ at an international conference in Dhaka.

2013

Building Chittagong As A Skill-based Global City

The Chittagong research Initiative was launched by PPRC with initial support from the AK Khan Foundation to provide a research based platform for development issues specific to Chittagong.

2014

Social Protection Book Launch

Social Protection has been one of PPRC’s core theme areas to work on. PPRC, in partnership with UNDP and University of Manchester Poverty Institute, published an international publication on this topic called, ‘Social Protection In Bangladesh.’ The book was authored by a rich body of international researchers – Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairman of PPRC, Dr. David Hulme, Professor of Development Studies, Dr. Mathilde Maitrot and Luigi Peter Ragno.

2015

International UHC Conference

PPRC in partnership with Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank organized a three-day international health conference on “Realising Universal Health Goals”. Public health experts from home and abroad including, economist Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr Somsak Chunaharas, and World Federation of Association of Paediatric Surgeons President Dr DK Gupta, called for stronger efforts in achieving universal health coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh that ensures quality healthcare for all without financial hardships.

2016

International Conference on Urban Poverty

Based on the urban research supported by the World Bank, and partnered by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), PPRC organised a two-day international conference on urban poverty that brought together a wide spectrum of national, regional and international experts and advocates.

2017

Launch of Healthy Bangladesh

Following the international UHC conference in 2015 and a two-year mobilization effort, PPRC facilitated the launch of a new civic platform, Healthy Bangladesh. A pioneering effort under the Healthy Bangladesh platform, PRERONA (meaning “inspiration” in Bangla) is a series of regional dialogues and TV talk shows on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) advocacy. PRERONA was implemented in 11 districts across Bangladesh.

2018

New Location, New Mood

The recent move to a new location has also brought about key changes in line with our ‘New PPRC’ agenda. For PPRC, it is an opportune time to think afresh and scale up its research efforts covering both ongoing agenda such as urban poverty, health, social protection and new areas such as WASH, nutrition and urban governance.

Address:

Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC)
House 15, Road 12 (old 31), Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka 1209
Phone: +880258155467
Email: info@pprc-bd.org

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