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Social Innovation in Rural Development Policy: Strengthening Participation, Representation and Accountability

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  • Bosworth Gary

    (Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom)

  • McAreavey Ruth

    (School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom)

  • Kennedy Matt

    (Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom)

Abstract

European rural development policy has increasingly promoted place-based, community-led approaches, epitomised by the LEADER programme. Embedded within these approaches is a belief that bottom-up development is best placed to deliver policies building on local strengths and addressing local needs. However, community-led approaches have also faced criticisms for being too technical and constrained by national and international priorities. To overcome such barriers to advancing place-based rural innovation, this paper explores two distinctive approaches to strengthening participation, representation and accountability with these processes: Northern Ireland’s Community-led Local Development and the Social Value Engine. The first approach seeks to promote local engagement and participation through a bottom-up process while the second is a tool that encourages community consultation. Through the research, we examine how each approach fosters community inclusion, accountability and representation.

Suggested Citation

  • Bosworth Gary & McAreavey Ruth & Kennedy Matt, 2025. "Social Innovation in Rural Development Policy: Strengthening Participation, Representation and Accountability," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 17(3), pages 412-430.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:eurcou:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:412-430:n:1004
    DOI: 10.2478/euco-2025-0021
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