In view of the limited success of Integrated Rural Development Programs (IROs) questions about necessary changes of these projects and programs. were repeatedly asked. It is assumed that breaking the rural poverty cycle multisectoral approaches are needed. In order to reduce the rate of failure if IRDs capacity-building for rural development at the micro-, meso-, and macro-Ievels is crucially important. At the macro-Ievel, the political, legal, and economic environment for the effective working of poverty-alleviating measures have to be created. At the meso-level, the specific organizational and institutional environment must be shaped, and on the micro-Ievel, the effective management of social, technical, and organizational innovations has to be put in place. All three levels are highly linked and balanced capacity-building at all levels is required. Isolated, project-centered interventions must give way to program-centered interactive co-operation. Beside central administration and local government bodies, self-help organizations of the rural population should be incorporated as partners.
