Power analysis: A practical guide

Addressing poverty and injustice is complex.
It is just not enough with engagement, professionalism
or financial resources. Ownership and political
will is absolutely critical. A recent observation in
evaluations and Sida’s Annual report reveals that the
poverty perspective is not sufficiently spelled out.
With the mandate of creating conditions for poor
people to improve their own living conditions – we
have to do better.
Without a solid understanding and analysis of a
particular situation that development cooperation sets
out to modify, there is a real risk of failure. Or, turned
around, a well understood context paves the way for
choices of initiatives that lead to a favorable change
for people living in poverty.
Sida has gained experiences of making such power
analysis. In 2002 Sida initiated the first studies how
power operates in a society at different, formal and
informal, levels of society. The method has evolved
through several experiences, in different contexts, and
proven a good tool for understanding and navigation
between options. It gives Sida more information for
decision-making but it can also propel change in its
own right.