Contribution: Case study of a rural-focused educational program with two components: 1) introducing high school students and teachers to smart and connected technologies (SCTs) that can be used to solve local problems and 2) engaging the local community in supporting local technology-driven entrepreneurship. Background: Rural communities typically…

Purpose: This study sought to explore how farmers' knowledge attributes influence the technical efficiency of their farms. In addition, farm efficiency was compared to the actual Macedonian Rural Development Programme (RDP) (2007-2013) and instruments considered to improve Macedonian education potential were evaluated. Design/methodology/approach:…

Purpose: Agricultural advisory services are perceived by many actors involved in rural development as a key driver behind innovation processes in agriculture. However, changes in national and global contexts cause dramatic changes in the orientation of advisory services, their organisation and their methods of intervention. This article aims to…

This paper looks at brokerage functions in a project on building innovation capacity through improved networking. Innovation capacity influences how actors respond to changes in their environments. In such dynamic environments well connected sets of actors are at an advantage in that they can combine skills to address the emerging opportunities…

Purpose: The article explores the significance of "evaluation" in the delivery of multifunctional extension advisory programmes and argues the necessity of integrating evaluation into programme planning, to ensure that programme guidelines are adhered to and extension advisory programmes generate their desired impact. The article focuses…

An Evaluation of the "Impact Assessment of the Training Programs" of a National Level Training Institution in India was conducted using the Kirkpatrick Method (KP Method). The studied Institution takes up research, provides training, offers consultancy and initiates action in the rural sector of India. The evaluation study used a…

The development of European Community administrative authority has greatly influenced the development of an evaluation culture among the southern and central member states of the European Union. The present case study from Spain provides an example of this diffusion through the use of an empowerment evaluation approach to build evaluation capacity…

This article examined the debate which preceded the organization of Turkish government-sponsored Village Institutes and that which followed their demise. (Author/RK)

Discusses elements of an implementation methodology for the removal of poverty in India. Includes background, methodology, aggregation of demands, economics of the strategy, complementary activities and infrastructure, mechanics of implementation, and monitoring. (CT)

The Governor's alternate in Georgia explains the importance of evaluation for regional programs and Georgia's approach to the problem. (Author/JC)

The author examines the relevance of the monitoring and evaluation literature and practice to the issue of how to understand and to monitor and evaluate nonmaterial or nonproductive objectives of rural development. He discusses an alternative monitoring and evaluation approach that will resolve this issue. (CH)

The Concerted Services in Training and Education (CSTE) program was designed at the federal level to coordinate the resources of all appropriate federal and state agencies in rural development. The pilot Arkansas program focused on the problems of a rural outmigration area characterized by low income, underemployment, and lack of industry.…

Information from a two-state statistical study provides a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of community programs to attract industry, plant site development, industrial bond financing, and improved support to schools. A linear probability model is used to estimate chances of success of such efforts. (JOW)

An essential component of community-based rural development is the leadership and problem-solving abilities of local people. The Colorado Rural Revitalization Project--a joint venture of two universities and a state agency--provided educational, consultative, and technical assistance services for a 1-year capacity-building program in 47…

The keynote article in this issue summarizes some of the lessons learned after a decade of using satellites for public service, and after five years of experimentation with information technologies designed for specialized audiences. Community service programs in the Appalachian Mountain and Rocky Mountain regions and in the state of Alaska are…