scholarly journals Social Participation in Rural Areas Based on the Example of Local Action Groups in Małopolskie Voivodeship

Author(s):  
Cristina Bianca Pocol ◽  
Zsuzsanna Kassai

The LEADER programme introduced a completely new approach to rural development philosophy, methodology and practice in the EU Member States. One of the most important features of this approach is facilitating innovation, which can provide new responses to the persistent problems in rural areas. Innovation must be understood in a wider sense in this initiative. The paper focuses on the assessment of innovation knowledge and initiatives among LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Romania. The research was undertaken in June 2016. A number of 67 LAGs were interviewed by means of a face-to-face questionnaire. The research area covered seven development regions of Romania. The collected data was analysed using SPSS programme. The results of the study show that there is a need for more innovative projects developed by LAGs in the ongoing programme period 2014-2020, which differs from those funded by the National Rural Development Programme of the 2007-2013 period. Communities’ problems are to be addressed by the implementation of innovative measures and by using local resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9123
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Gargano

The present research which originates from the author’s PhD dissertation awarded at the School of Politics of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2019, explores the comparative evolution of rural development policies and Local Action Groups (LAGs) in the United Kingdom (Argyll and the Islands LAG—Scotland and Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways LAG—England) and in Italy (Delta 2000 LAG—Emilia-Romagna Region and Capo Santa Maria di Leuca LAG—Puglia Region) in a multi-level governance framework. LAGs and in particular their public–private local partnerships have become common practice in the governance of rural areas. This governance operates within the European Union LEADER approach as a tool designed to generate the development of rural areas at local level. In order to establish the implications of the LAG practices, the following main objectives for this research have been established: (1) to explore the utility of EU strategies for rural development; (2) to explain how LAGs structure, institutional arrangements and working are positioned in the layers of MLG framework; (3) to carry out a comparative evaluation of the LAGs working in the different nations and their subnational contexts. Some significant findings from the case studies are summarized in relation to these themes: the key characteristics and the outcomes associated with the LAG working mechanisms and what do we draw about the emergence, operation and performance of local partnerships. The core argument of the research is that the partnership approach has given the rural development actors a governance platform to help increase beneficial interactions and economic activity in each of these LAGs, but it is the bottom-up leadership of key local actors, seizing opportunities provided by the EU funding, which have been the most important factors for the LAG successes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
Petra Zaujecová ◽  
Pavol Schwarcz

Abstract The paper deals with the integrated development in rural areas realized by the LEADER approach. This approach is based on the territorial principle, where the significant role are playing local actors operating in the area, who through their actions influence it’s development. The LEADER approach is being implemented through the Axis 4 of the Rural Development Policy. The main objective of the paper is to evaluate the implementation of the LEADER approach in particular Local Action Groups in Slovakia, to identify problems with implementation and to suggest solutions for their elimination. In the paper we evaluate the internal operation of the Local Action Group - the balance of relations between members, defining areas of their mutual cooperation and participation rate in the calls from the perspective of managers of Local Action Groups as well as external relations - relations with Agricultural Paying Agency and ways of influencing the operation of Local Action Groups through legislation. We also focuses on personal views of managers on meeting the needs of the Local Action Group by the projects realized within the Axis 4 LEADER. We also pointed out problems connected with the direction of the Axis 4 in terms of the possibility of funds spending, we defined negative impacts of the legislation as well as particular activities of the Agricultural Paying Agency on Local Action Group‘s performance.


Author(s):  
Andreea Paul

This chapter attempts to contribute to a better understanding of the operation of the local action groups in Romania, having in view that little has been written about this so far and that it represents a new strategy of local management in the rural environment. Romania also urgently needs to elaborate and implement a national agenda for change, which should respect and overtake the regulations and the criteria of the LEADER program. The Local Action Groups (LAGs) represent a strong driving engine of progress in the rural areas, and the involvement of all factors that are part of LAG is essential for a good development. This study analyses the factors that could contribute to a harmonious development and comes with recommendations for other LAGs wishing to access the available funds through the LEADER program, starting from the case studies of LAG Tara Oltului and LAG Tara Oasului.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hoffmann ◽  
Natalia Hoffmann

Abstract The article aims to present the stages of the LEADER programme and its influence on greater activity and integration of inhabitants by, e.g. extending the knowledge of tradition and national heritage and the actions intended for the integration of local communities. It is noticeable particularly in the implementation of the activities within Axis 4 of the 2007–2013 Rural Development Programme. Positive changes in rural areas are a result of building strong social and human capitals, which are important factors of local development. The skills and the ability for cooperation of a local community allows it to implement many projects. The investments made by beneficiaries of the LEADER programme improve the level of living and the quality of life in the countryside. The effect is an improvement in physical infrastructure and tourist attractiveness as a result of care for the rural landscape and cultural heritage. The implementation of the LEADER programme is presented on the example of Wielkopolskie Voivodeship where the participation in actions for local communities is deeply ingrained. In order to show spatial differences in the activity of local entities under Local Action Groups in Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, classes were selected on the basis of funds received by local entities in the LAG areas. There are 36 Local Action Groups operating in Wielkopolska (of which 31 have seats in this region).


Author(s):  
Jiří Novosák ◽  
Oldřich Hájek ◽  
Joanna Górska-Szymczak ◽  
Jana Novosáková

The goal of this paper is to reveal the socioeconomic and environmental characteristic differences between supported and unsupported Local Action Groups (LAGs) from the LEADER programme in the Czech Republic in the programming period 2007 – 2013. Hence, the associations between the LEADER programme and rural differentiation in the Czech Republic are explored. The results of this study point out that highly rural and disadvantaged LAGs were supported significantly more often, while LAGs with strong urban characteristics and growing suburban LAGs were supported significantly less often in the LEADER programme. Two crucial dimensions of rural differentiation in the Czech Republic were tackled by LEADER, namely rural aspects and socioeconomic disadvantages. This study consequently shows that LAGs may be a highly relevant place-based instrument that compensates for urban-rural gradient and socioeconomic disadvantages of rural areas.


Author(s):  
Sergio Andrés ◽  

Rural depopulation has become one of the central issues on the public agenda in the last decade in Spain. However, despite this visibility and the measures that are being developed, the process is still present. Within the policies against depopulation and rural development, the role of participation and empowerment of the affected populations has become particularly important. The objective is based on the fact that, through a more horizontal governance, they are the protagonists of the actions and measures that affect them, and that this governance becomes a means to avoid the depopulation of rural areas. The European Union's LEADER approach and the Local Action Groups have become the paradigm of this rural governance that favours their development and tackles depopulation. This article analyses the situation of rural governance in the case of a Spanish region such as La Rioja, which is affected by the depopulation of a large part of its rural areas. It starts with a theoretical framework that addresses the concept itself and how it is being articulated with issues such as social capital, territorial capital and participation, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the scenarios that are being generated, based on the differences between territories. Next, the frameworks of depopulation in Spain are presented, which are marking the very public policies on the issue. Finally, the situation in La Rioja is addressed, focusing on the role of the regional government's plans and strategies to tackle depopulation and the role of the Local Action Groups.


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