This article presents 2 case study on a development initiative from the inland Sertão region of Bahia State (Brazil). This initiative can be characterised by its constructivist approach, integrating different social actors around a common objective: local development and improvement of livelihoods for local population. During the fifteen years of this initiative's existence, the nature and the format of its activities have changed substantially. With this, it managed to adapt to the important institutional and socio-economic changes that occurred in recent years. Starting with a historical analysis of these evolutions, in particular those concerning social organisations, the authors propose some guidelines for public policies.