Dealing with an analysis and evaluation of community action programs (provided for by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964) in Appalachia, this report presents 3 conditions for program success: (1) adequate community action leadership at the local level; (2) power holders at the community, county, or "local" level who are sympathetic, or at least neutral, to accomplishment of the goals of community action; and (3) involvement of the target population in the community action programs. After an evaluation of the state of these 3 conditions in community action programs in Appalachia, it is concluded that the conditions are unattained and it is recommended that the development of adequate community action leadership at the local level be given top priority "since the other 2 conditions probably must be taken as 'givens' until the development of effective leadership is accomplished." (BO)