Assessing the Impact of European Funding on Local Development

This paper aims to analyze the impact of local development projects funded by European funds on disadvantaged local comunities in rural areas. Starting from the many studies and research from this area, the paper „Assessing the impact of European funds on local development†aims to present subjects of general interest, such as local development concepts, the project with European funding. At the same time, the present study seeks to identify the positive effects of the local development process on the communities in which it is being implemented. In general, the local development process aims to implement projects that improve the quality of services community members have access to, foster economic activity in the area and reduce disparities between rural and urban areas. In rural areas, there are many people who have abandoned the education system early on, who are unaware of their rights, with health problems, inactive or unemployed, being discriminated and lacking of any support. Therefore, local development calls for the unification of all stakeholders in a community, both local actors and beneficiaries, in order to attract funds and implement projects to adress disadvantageous phenomena and identify possible opportunities that may have a positive impact on localities. Also, through local development projects, the present situation of a community can be improved by making the resources more efficient and by inteligently organizing and coordinating the services provided to the locals.