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Rural innovation activities as a means for changing development perspectives – An assessment of more than two decades of promoting LEADER initiatives across the European Union

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  • Dax, Thomas
  • Oedl-Wieser, Theresia

Abstract

Since the 1990s the LEADER approach has very powerfully addressed the spirit of mobilising actors in the countryside through focusing on endogenous potential and activating local stakeholders across all sectors. Given the long-term experience and wealth of diverse development initiatives across the European Union (EU), the diversity of implementation is huge. Considering the limited financial support as a Community Initiative (until 2006), a significant extension and ‘upgrading’ of LEADER was intended by integrating it into the EU Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) since 2007. The shift from the character of a ‘pilot’ instrument at the start of LEADER to its ‘mainstreaming’ into the RDPs involved radical administrative changes and high expectations of increased impacts. The interest in LEADER practice and effectiveness led to many studies that in general apply a limited perspective of self-evaluation and refl ection on LEADER activities. Its main impact is seen in providing learning processes in rural regions and the effects on changes in local governance through extended involvement of local stakeholders and institutions. This paper provides a synthesis of European experiences and analyses of core changes, in particular by referring to the example of implementation in the Austrian context. The main lessons are based on the refl ection of obstacles and promoting factors of implementation during the last 25 years against the LEADER principles. The limitations in the assessment of LEADER call for a systemic approach that includes interrelations to a much wider degree. LEADER’s legacy is seen well beyond a quantitative measurement, but has to be found in its influence on actors’ perspectives, new pathways and strategies for rural development.

Suggested Citation

  • Dax, Thomas & Oedl-Wieser, Theresia, 2016. "Rural innovation activities as a means for changing development perspectives – An assessment of more than two decades of promoting LEADER initiatives across the European Union," Studies in Agricultural Economics, Research Institute for Agricultural Economics, vol. 118(1), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:stagec:234971
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.234971
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Székely, Vladimír & Novotný, Ján, 2019. "Geographical context of the registered LEADER Local Action Groups in Slovakia (EU 2014-2020 programming period)," Rural Areas and Development, European Rural Development Network (ERDN), vol. 16.
    2. Franziska Lengerer & Tialda Haartsen & Annett Steinführer, 2023. "Exploring Justice in the Process of Redesigning Local Development Strategies for LEADER: Representation, Distribution, and Recognition," World, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-24, January.
    3. Navarro Francisco & Labianca Marilena & Cejudo Eugenio & de Rubertis Stefano & Salento Angelo & Maroto Juan Carlos & Belliggiano Angelo, 2018. "Interpretations of Innovation in Rural Development. The Cases of Leader Projects in Lecce (Italy) and Granada (Spain) in 2007–2013 Period," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 10(1), pages 107-126, March.
    4. Oedl-Wieser, Theresia & Dax, Thomas & Fischer, Michael, 2017. "A new approach for participative rural development in Georgia – reflecting transfer of knowledge and enhancing innovation in a non-European Union context," Studies in Agricultural Economics, Research Institute for Agricultural Economics, vol. 119(1), April.
    5. Bumbalová Monika & Takáč Ivan & Tvrdoňová Jela & Valach Martin, 2016. "Are Stakeholders in Slovakia Ready for Community-Led Local Development? Case Study Findings," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 8(2), pages 160-174, June.
    6. Székely, Vladimír & Novotný, Ján, 2019. "Geographical context of the registered LEADER Local Action Groups in Slovakia (EU 2014-2020 programming period)," Problems of Agricultural Economics / Zagadnienia Ekonomiki Rolnej 309059, Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics - National Research Institute (IAFE-NRI).
    7. Ivana Bassi & Matteo Carzedda & Luca Iseppi, 2022. "Innovative Local Development Initiatives in the Eastern Alps: Forest Therapy, Land Consolidation Associations and Mountaineering Villages," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-12, June.
    8. So Young Lee & José M. Díaz-Puente & Pablo Vidueira, 2020. "Enhancing Rural Innovation and Sustainability Through Impact Assessment: A Review of Methods and Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-26, August.
    9. Mercedes Rodriguez & Luis Miguel Sanchez & Eugenio Cejudo & Jose Antonio Camacho, 2019. "Variety in local development strategies and employment: LEADER programme in Andalusia," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 65(1), pages 43-50.
    10. Alexandru Olar & Mugurel I. Jitea, 2021. "Enabling Factors for Better Multiplier Effects of the LEADER Programme: Lessons from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, May.
    11. Konečný Ondřej, 2019. "The Leader Approach Across The European Union: One Method of Rural Development, Many Forms of Implementation," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, March.
    12. Nazgul Esengulova & Massimo Manrico Carella & Antonio Lopolito, 2023. "Stakeholder Empowerment in Sustainable Rural Development Partnerships: Two Case Studies from Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, April.
    13. Marielle Berriet-Solliec & Abdoul Diallo & Cédric Gendre & Vincent Larmet & Denis Lépicier & Lionel Védrine, 2022. "The National Rural Development Programme in France: How Does It Contribute to the Attractiveness of Regions?," Economie et Statistique / Economics and Statistics, Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (INSEE), issue 534-35, pages 83-101.
    14. Łukasz Satoła & Anna Milewska, 2022. "The Concept of a Smart Village as an Innovative Way of Implementing Public Tasks in the Era of Instability on the Energy Market—Examples from Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.

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