Both Europe, through the LEADER program, and Brazil, through the Territories of Citizenship program, have made significant efforts in promotion of rural development. This study assesses the outcomes of these programs in relation to the principles that underpin the territorial rural development approach. Both initiatives were assessed based on official data on 6,225 projects financed in Andalusia (Spain) and 8,434 projects financed in Brazil. Despite their small budgets relative to other public programs, the assessed programs had generally satisfactory results. The projects' beneficiaries represent, as a whole, the identity of the targeted territories, mainly in Brazil, where family farmers were prioritized in 100% of cases. The programs promote economic diversification, mainly in Andalusia, through investments in services to consumers in 34% of the projects and tourism in 12% of the projects. Innovation and participation of local community members in decision-making processes were promoted in a reduced way in both cases. Both programs had positive impacts, as well as negative ones, which allows us to draw important lessons for future initiatives.