These are schemes where the local people take part in small-scale activities which help the local area. As the local people are involved they are projects that are needed. They do not usually need high technology, nor do they need a lot of money. Examples of self help schemes include

• Planting trees, and building lines of stones to reduce soil erosion
• Training local health workers, who know how to prevent and treat the local diseases and health problems
• Making bio-gas plants which takes manure and produces gas for cooking and natural fertiliser