Regional Development Agencies: The Next Generation? Networking, Knowledge and Regional Policies. edited by NicolaBellini, MikeDanson and HenrikHalkier (eds.) Abingdon: Routledge, 2012. 316pp. £100.00. ISBN: 978-0-415-68848-2

When the European Community (EC) created the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD) in 1975, regional policy was established at an international level for the first time ever. Because of the chosen instruments and the ‘additive’ mechanism of implementation—via the administrative bodies of the member states—this policy seemed at first to mean little more than a reinforcement of regional policies at a national level. Since then, the EC has considerably intensified its regional policy and diversified its instruments. However, the recent reforms of the Community's regional policy serve not only to achieve (certain) development effects with respect to the economic structure of less-developed areas, but also as a means of reorganizing governmental (planning) bodies and regional development policies in the member states, that is, as a means of inducing modernization and differentiation of state intervention in the countries concerned. Thus, the EC intervenes’ in the affairs of the member states: Not in the shape of more or less authoritarian intervention by a superior body—EC powers do not permit this—but via the indirect effect of market mechanism. Subsidies are the economic incentive to collaborate.

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Sustainable development in polyethnic border regions of Ukraine (on the example of Transcarpathia)

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202125501047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 255 ◽

pp. 01047

Author(s):

Mykhaylo Pityulych ◽

Kateryna Sochka ◽

Victoriia Makarovych ◽

Oksana Yoltukhovska ◽

Nataliya Keretsman

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Regional Development ◽

Ethnic Groups ◽

Development Process ◽

Development Projects ◽

Development Programs ◽

Research Institutions ◽

Border Regions ◽

Development Agencies

The purpose of this work is to identify some issues of current sustainable development process in polyethnic border regions of Ukraine. The need to involve various domestic stakeholders (like local, regional and national authorities, businesses, households, education and research institutions, NGOs, regional development agencies) and representatives from neighboring countries in elaboration and implementation of sustainable development programs in border regions is substantiated. Conducted survey helped to identify the position of local NGOs representatives, involved into the different regional development projects, about the priority directions of sustainable development and obstacles for their realization in the polyethnic region. Certain peculiarities of sustainable development related to regional polyethnicity have been identified during the survey. Certain ways to increase the involvement of various ethnic groups in process of sustainable development in border regions have been proposed.

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Pathways to the Future? An Initial Assessment of RDA Strategies and their Contribution to Integrated Regional Development

Local Economy The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit ◽

10.1080/02690940110036586 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 142-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Peter Roberts ◽

Paul Benneworth

Keyword(s):

Regional Development ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Action Plans ◽

General Terms ◽

Economic Strategies ◽

Subject Specific ◽

The Future ◽

Key Issues ◽

Development Agencies

The English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were established in April 1999 as part of the wider package of devolution measures. One of the first tasks undertaken by the RDAs was the preparation of Region al Economic Strategies (RESs). These strategies were intended to be a means of securing agreement on a single regional vision and programme of development. However, the RDAs are n ot the only actors present in the English regions and the RESs are not the only region al-level planning exercises. This paper reviews the guidance given to RDAs regarding the preparation and content of RESs. It also provides an initial assessment of the strategy documents an d the extent to which they are coordinated with other regional plans and programmes. The eight RESs differ in terms of their structure, content and emphasis. In general terms, and accepting the constraints under which they were prepared, it is clear that they represent positive attempts to develop strategies for the regions. Key issues for the future include the need for RDAs to agree detailed subject-specific action plans, to establish stronger links with other regional actors and to en sure that they add value to regional development.

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