Power to Praxis
Reflective Practice for Participatory, Accountable and Community-Led Projects
Power to Praxis is the reflective practice methodology of Community Powered Responses. Developed for humanitarian action, international development and community practice, it supports practitioners and organisations to design, implement and conclude projects that are genuinely participatory, accountable and community-led.
Participation is shaped by the decisions we make before a project begins, throughout implementation and when we bring a project to an end. Power to Praxis creates space to slow down, ask better questions and strengthen how participation, power, accountability and relationships are expressed through everyday practice.
The methodology
A Reflective Practice Methodology
Power to Praxis combines two complementary frameworks. The Power to Praxis Cycle guides reflection throughout the life of a project — Pre-Project, Pre-Engagement, Implementation, Completion and Meta-Reflection. The Five Ps provide the analytical lens, exploring Purpose, Power, Partnerships, Practice and Politics at every stage.
Together they support practitioners to build projects with communities, rather than for communities.
Reflection cards
Reflection Cards for Decolonial Design
The core Power to Praxis resource combines 55 Reflection Cards with a Companion Guide. Together they support individual reflection, team learning, facilitation, project design, organisational learning, coaching and supervision.
Rather than providing answers, the cards encourage reflexivity and thoughtful conversations across every stage of the project cycle, helping practitioners explore participation, accountability, inclusion and ethical practice in real-world contexts.
Workshops
Power to Praxis is designed to be experienced together. Public workshops introduce the methodology through practical activities and facilitated discussion. Organisational workshops are tailored to teams seeking to strengthen participation, leadership and reflective practice within their own context.
Whether working with individuals or organisations, every workshop connects reflection with action.
Practice Circles
Projects rarely unfold exactly as planned. New questions emerge, relationships evolve and unexpected challenges arise. The Power to Praxis Practice Circles create space to reflect on these experiences together.
Each month, practitioners explore one stage of the Power to Praxis Cycle, using the reflection cards to think critically about participation, accountability and community leadership in real-world practice. Practice Circles are open to anyone interested in building more participatory, accountable and community-led projects.
Continue the conversation
The Power to Praxis Substack
The Substack extends the conversation beyond the cards and workshops. Subscribers receive essays, reflections, practical ideas, new resources and invitations to workshops and Practice Circles, joining a growing international community of practitioners committed to thoughtful, values-led practice.
Power to Praxis is continually evolving through collaboration, practice and learning. New resources, workshops and facilitation tools are released throughout the year.
Power to Praxis is more than a resource. It is a methodology, a community of practice and a growing collection of tools designed to help practitioners and organisations create projects where participation is not simply planned, but practised.