The social dimension of development studies has gained significance in recent decades. Civil society and social capital are, therefore, increasingly more examined as these concepts are widely discussed; and there are not many empirical country specific studies of them. Accordingly, this book focuses on local participation and social capital in women s development projects in Turkey, with a central question revolving around the influence of internal vs. external financing on local participation in women s development projects of NGOs. In order to examine the role of financing in local participation in women s development projects, theoretical arguments focusing on development, civil society, women s development and social capital are assessed to demonstrate the importance of local participation for sustainable development and women s development projects for empowerment of women. Furthermore, an overview of Turkey s history from the angle of civil society and women s movement is presented to provide a background for the evolution of women s NGOs and their work in Turkey. A sample of donors and externally and internally funded women s development projects is selected as cases.