This document provides in-depth insights and first-hand experiences from various GTZ supported projects in rural areas, which all attempt to integrate participatory approaches in their work. Two major trends emerge, which are considered to be of particular importance. Firstly, participation can no longer be seen merely as a means of making projects more successful in reaching their objectives. Secondly, almost all the papers reflect the complexity of institutionalizing participation. Most of the case studies come from African projects, a few are from Asia and none from Latin America. The majority of the articles have been written by expatriates, thus conveying a predominantly western male perception. The paper discusses, in varying detail, how a participatory approach was developed and integrated into operations, structures and organizational culture. A number of the articles describe how participatory approaches have been fitted into a highly hierarchical setting.