ABSTRACT

This study finds that individual and collective empowerment takes place on a wide scale as a result of the participation of rural populations in groups, and 114through these in the process of federating into higher-level DROs. NGOs need to be flexible and open-minded so as to allow DRO members to take control of decisions and exercise agency. The individual empowerment and agency of members is crucial if the DRO is to navigate the challenges associated with federating into higher-level organizations successfully.