Describes the work of Practical Action in introducing consensus-based planning approaches in villages that are poor even by Bangladesh standards, where 90 per cent of people live under the poverty line and over 60 per cent are illiterate. These methods work on raising the voice and confidence of the poor at the local level within their communities, and the results have been spectacular: opening up new income generation and resource management and influencing opportunities for marginalized communities in flood-prone areas. Highly useful in countries that reject the role of NGOs in governance or human rights, and in planning for disasters and humanitarian interventions. Essential reading for programme staff of national and international NGOs, governance and rural development advisors in the national and multilateral agencies, Ministry officials, and researchers and students in universities and development institutes.