The Wildlife and Development series highlights key topics in the field of sustainable wildlife use and is aimed at policy-makers, planners, government extension workers and NGOs. The Engendering Eden research programme aimed increase understanding of issues concerning relationships between women, gender and ICDPs (integrated conservation and development projects) by examining differences and inequities within communities and how these effect participation and the distribution of benefits and costs in relation to them. This document describes experiences and lessons learnt of a number of ICDPs and CBNRM projects in Africa.The research in Africa showed that ICDPs remain dominated by men, and that there is a conflict between short-term household needs and long-term conservation objectives. In both regions gender issues are addressed rarely, and even then ineffectually. This has led to various negative impacts.More recently a gender-focused approach has been promoted and projects now make attempts to increase women's empowerment through such as education and capacity building. However components still remain fragmented and under resourced. There is much room for improvement

The Wildlife and Development series highlights key topics in the field of sustainable wildlife use and is aimed at policy-makers, planners, government extension workers and NGOs. The Engendering Eden research programme aimed increase understanding of issues concerning relationships between women, gender and ICDPs (integrated conservation and development projects) by examining differences and inequities within communities and how these effect participation and the distribution of benefits and costs in relation to them. This document describes experiences and lessons learnt of a number of ICDPs and CBNRM projects in South and South East Asia.The research in Asia showed that ICDPs remain dominated by men, and that there is a conflict between short-term household needs and long-term conservation objectives. In both regions gender issues are addressed rarely, and even then ineffectually. This has led to various negative impacts.More recently a gender-focused approach has been promoted and projects now make attempts to increase women's empowerment through such as education and capacity building. However components still remain fragmented and under resourced. There is much room for improvement.

Partnerships for development are spreading like wildfire – in rhetoric if not in reality. This report examines a set of partnerships in forestry – those between companies and communities – to see whether there is any substance beyond the hype. Some 57 examples in 23 countries are reviewed – from informal arrangements and social responsibility efforts to outgrower schemes and joint ventures.

This article is a reflection on nearly a decade of practical work by an alliance of two South African organisations, People’s Dialogue on Land and Shelter and the South African Homeless People’s Federation.The South African Homeless People Federation was established in 1994 to represent autonomous local organizations that had developed savings and credit schemes and were developing their own housing schemes. Its national character, active membership, autonomy and high level of participation make it one of the most significant housing movements in Africa. With over 80,000 households within its member groups, power and decision-making are highly decentralized with individual organizations responsible for their own development activity and direction. The local organizations are based around savings and credit schemes and all federation members are encouraged to save daily.

This paper describes the work of the Local Development Programme (PRODEL) in eight cities in Nicaragua where it provided small grants for infrastructure and community works projects, and loans for housing improvement and micro-enterprises, targeted at low-income groups. The external funds provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) were matched by municipal, community and household contributions. Between 1994 and 1998, more than 38,000 households benefited and both loan programmes achieved good levels of cost recovery. The paper describes the micro-planning workshops and other methodologies through which households and communities were given more scope for participation. It explains how local governments and the bank responsible for managing the loans learned to work in a more participatory way, and it outlines the measures taken to ensure that the needs and priorities of women and children were addressed. The paper ends by considering some of the lessons learned in terms of sustaining the initiatives after projects are completed, and institutionalizing citizen participation in social programmes. It also describes how PRODEL’s methods have come to be used by central and local governments in other programmes.