The use of participatory design is often advocated when developing
new solutions for economically or socially marginalised people
in developing countries (see for example Arce, 2004; Sharma
et al., 2008). It is argued that through including users in the
design process designers can understand their needs better
(Arce, 2004). Yet, few studies address the real-life challenges
of doing participatory design projects in developing countries
or how participatory design methods have to be adapted to local
conditions. What possibilities and challenges do designers face
when trying to organize participatory projects in developing
countries? How do they have to mediate between the wish to
have high levels of user participation and cultural, economic,
and organizational restrictions? The various forms user inclusion
takes, due to practical challenges in real projects in developing
countries, are rarely discussed.