The publication reviews the role of exogenous and endogenous factors in rural development, as well as evidence on their contribution to rural development. In simple terms, endogenous factors refer to matters which the rural population can influence. Exogenous factors are those that happen outside rural areas and cannot be directly influenced by the rural population.

The report was prepared by the independent consultant Nick Maddock with the assistance of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).