Management of rural development projects in Iran (eith emphasis on people`s praticipation)

This article considers management of rural development projects and analyses the role of different groups of rural in these projects in Iran.Three co-operative projects were selected as cases of men on natural including one case of women (ball-making development projects.In addition to gender issues, geographical and socio-cultural variations were also considered while choosing these case studies.Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data.A reasonable progress regarding people`s participation has been achieved during the life of the development progress,especially implementation stage in all three cases.However, the involvement of board of project directors and government staff is perceived to be high in all stages of the project cycle.Higher involvement of government staff in problem identification and p[lanning stages in the women`s project indicates women`s low involvement. In conclusion, participation have given some opportunity to rural people especially marginalized and minorities to decide who should be involved should be implemented;and what each individual gad to contribute.However,decision-making power is still concentrated on the directors,especially in the women`s project.