The condition for sustainability

from the experiences of Mexican rural women after a development project

Abstract

What is the condition for sustainable development projects? This study tries to answer it with the insights gained by the anthropological evaluation of a rural development project in Mexico. The women groups in four pilot community show different post-project situation; activation, status-quo, decline, and cessation. By comparing them, the study suggests that the autonomy, not independence, of women and continuing outside assistance are important factors.