Over the past two decades, Latin American NGOs have drawn recognition for their innovative practices in support of small holder agriculture. In recent years, this engagement with agrarian civil society has expanded to include involvement in formal political life. In Peru, it is at the level of local government that current efforts both to counter the stateâs centralization of resources and political power, and to bolster democratic institutions have been most visible. This paper examines an instance of this movement toward decentralization in the Andean Province of Caylloma.  There, through the creation of a province-wide Development Council, municipal governments, public and private institutions, and popular organizations are endeavoring to coordinate agendas for social change while stimulating broader civic engagement.  Although compelling in its potential to generate and fortify a fresh political space, in practice this process of concertación is fragile and places novel social demands on participants.

Keywords: local government, development, grassroots organizations, less-favored lands,Peru