Sazani is an international not-for-profit, research and development organisation. They specialise in community engagement through participatory research, and the development of integrated programmes for sustainable rural development in the UK and overseas and they are now accredited trainers for the Global Learning Programme – Wales

The multi award winning organisation was established in 2005 by an interdisciplinary group of experienced practitioners (academics, consultants, project managers) from all over the world, dedicated to the use of participatory approaches for research, development and learning. The associates operate in the fields of socio-economic development, natural resource management and education. 

Climate Smart
Sazani has worked on climate smart measures driving social change in a range of different countries, some of which are Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Creating and measures social change – particularly but not exclusively – in relation to community adaption to climate change is one of the specialities.

Sustainable Livelihoods
Developing coastal and rural livelihoods and creating social change through privateer sector growth and development, in particular relating to food production, is where they are most comfortable. Applying appropriate technologies, using capabilities approach within a sustainable livelihoods framework, is the theory of what they do. They use the practitioner, business development and community development skills – which have been hard won by years in the field – to ensure that the results are permanent and not just temporary solutions.

Innovation
They always build on community strengths for Sazani, innovation in as much about designing mechanisms to create social change as it is about new technologies for programme of project design. They use GIS platforms to analyse the spatial relationships in the data and utilise the links with a number or UK and non-UK universities in both delivery and evaluation.

Participation
This is the heart of their work. Only by giving people systems for communicating and creating the required change will sustainable solutions emerge from whatever is being undertaken. Engaging people and supporting involvement in not a skill one learns in six months practice – all the field staff value their experience as practitioners.

Global Learning
This is about creating “crossing points” for the individuals and communities they work with, giving them the opportunities to contextualise learning in a global context. Understanding issues such as cultural difference, the impacts of climate change and social and environmental injustice is – they think – the best way to broker the creation of sustainable communities and individuals.