Designed to provide developing nations and government agencies with information on nonformal education, this study presents general guidelines on how to: (1) assess the needs within a given country for rural children and youth; (2) plan effective/economic programs to meet these needs; (3) develop means to evaluate and strengthen such programs; and (4) define the ways in which external agencies can be of the greatest help in program implementation. Limited in scope to nonformal education, out-of-school youth and children, and rural areas of developing nations, the study's data are derived from 12 case studies (11 countries) of nonformal education programs and discussions with knowledgeables in developing countries, government agencies, research institutions, etc. Constituting the core of evidence, the case studies are presented in terms of: (1) a general diagnosis of rural educational needs viewed in a broad social-economic context; (2) an inventory/assessment of existing nonformal education programs addressed to rural children/youth; (3) fuller analysis of selected programs appearing to offer significant lessons for other countries; and (4) critical assessment of both positive and negative program experiences. This report also identifies fundamental concepts, present patterns, critical issues, and the means by which nonformal education programs can be activated. (JC)