The principal objective of this study is to evaluate some of the key credit-based, participatory poverty alleviation strategies implemented by both the Government and NGOs. Important questions raised relate to the extent to which social mobilization efforts have succeeded in empowering the poor, and the success of credit programmes in reducing the vulnerability of poor households and in providing capital for micro enterprise development. Project management issues such as the capacity to monitor, evaluate and assess programme impact, and the extent to which programmes are integrated and coordinated, are also looked at. The study aims to highlight best practices, which have the potential for replication, and, where results have fallen short of expectations, tries to identify the causes and suggests modifications to programme design that may help in achieving success in the future.