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External macro-institutions, like the World Bank and United Nations (or affiliated institutions), develop studies that are transferred into specific policies of intervention. Research demonstrates that these policies have a direct influence on national decision-makers that solicit external resources for project funding. In this strategy, policies encourage authorities to act as 'enablers' of building processes.

Authorities here define a project strategy where provision of funding and legislation facilitates the participation of private sector initiatives. In many cases, legislation is targeted to facilitate the provision of land and infrastructure to promote (and control) the informal sector during the reconstruction in sites-and services projects.

Usually accompanied by self-help programs, these projects require the participation of intermediate participants to reach the community.

Frequently in the cases of major disasters, central governments assume the direction of the project strategy but initiatives are held at a local level.

Usually local NGOs, nonprofit organizations and volunteer private organizations take the role of intermediate participants to organize the community to create the project. Including a great deal of education and training, a self-help program is a two-way relationship with the community.

In this strategy, local resources are organized to develop systematically a simple form of construction targeted to home ownership.

In this approach the output is developed inside the community. Considering that lowest-income families frequently build for themselves, the strategy is targeted to improve the local building practice with a view to opening the door to long term sustainable development. However, research shows that local participation does not necessarily involve decision making and self-help programs do not necessarily attain the expected economies.