One of the most potent instruments for poverty alleviation is the creation of opportunities for poor people to earn a regular and decent income. However, the creation of employment opportunities, especially in the rural areas, has traditionally been viewed as requiring heavy capital investments to lure industry out to the countryside. It is timely, therefore, that the approach adopted in this joint project with the International Labour Organisation, Promotion of non-farm employment for rural workers, was somewhat different from traditional ones. This pilot project tested the potential for employment generation in rural areas primarily through skills and leadership training, combined with a management input, and a minimal capital investment.