Beyond the rhetoric of rural development participation: How can it be done?

Although beneficiary participation occupies a prominent place in the rhetoric of rural development, attempts actually to achieve it have a much less notable record. This essay examines reasons for this disappointing history and suggests eight elements that can be used to improve the practice. Two cases are used to illustrate the potential of the approach, and ways to manage it. The authors conclude that, for participation to succeed, redistributing power must be accompanied by the simultaneous building of local capabilities.