Abstract
LEADER, part of European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), is one of the most important mechanisms in South Tyrol to boost regional economy. The programme is based on bottom-up approach and is carried out by the local action groups (LAGs), which represent a form of public-private partnerships.
Innovation is an integral element of LEADER programme but it is defined very loosely in the guidelines, with the intention to leave an interpretation to the local actors. In article we address the question whether innovation is an objective pursued by LAGs in South Tyrol or just a way of conformity to the EU funding regulations. With qualitative research in form of semi-structured interviews with LAG managers, project holders …show more content…
The concept of innovation is an integral element of LEADER programme , European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at the local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create new employment opportunities.
LEADER represents an approach within EU rural development policy and since it was launched in 1991 it has been striving to provide rural communities in the EU with a method for involving local partners in future development of their area, improve the quality of life and to encourage diversification of economic activities in rural areas including supports for non-agricultural activities. Analysis of the innovation in this article is based on LEADER programme which was in force from 2007 to 2013, following LEADER I (1991–93), LEADER II (1994–99) and LEADER+ (2000–2006).
The Leader Axis in the last period had three main roles: to stimulate endogenous local development, increase the organisational capacity of rural communities governance and encouraging innovation (DG AGRI guide, 2011). In general Leader approach (Basic guide to the LEADER approach, 2006) consists of seven key …show more content…
As it is also seen from South Tyrolean LAG action plans innovation in LEADER generally does not represent innovation in technological sense, rather than that it may mean the introduction of a new product, a new process, a new organisation or a new market. Especially in the rural area it mostly represents »something is new to the area« by adopting innovations developed elsewhere and adapting them to new environment, circumstances or requirements. To give LAGs as much flexibility as possible LEADER approach gives very general picture on what can be innovative practice in rural areas. Besides implying the transfer and adaption of innovations developed elsewhere it may also imply the modernisation of traditional forms of know-how or finding new solutions to persistent rural problems which other policy interventions have not been able to solve in a satisfactory and sustainable way (Basic guide to the LEADER approach, 2006, 12). Innovation in that sense is also encouraged by bottom-up approach, innovative notion of the LEADER programme, which gives voice to local stakeholders and invites them to take the lead and participate, and networking as an exchange of experience and lessons learned from local rural
LEADER, part of European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), is one of the most important mechanisms in South Tyrol to boost regional economy. The programme is based on bottom-up approach and is carried out by the local action groups (LAGs), which represent a form of public-private partnerships.
Innovation is an integral element of LEADER programme but it is defined very loosely in the guidelines, with the intention to leave an interpretation to the local actors. In article we address the question whether innovation is an objective pursued by LAGs in South Tyrol or just a way of conformity to the EU funding regulations. With qualitative research in form of semi-structured interviews with LAG managers, project holders …show more content…
The concept of innovation is an integral element of LEADER programme , European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at the local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create new employment opportunities.
LEADER represents an approach within EU rural development policy and since it was launched in 1991 it has been striving to provide rural communities in the EU with a method for involving local partners in future development of their area, improve the quality of life and to encourage diversification of economic activities in rural areas including supports for non-agricultural activities. Analysis of the innovation in this article is based on LEADER programme which was in force from 2007 to 2013, following LEADER I (1991–93), LEADER II (1994–99) and LEADER+ (2000–2006).
The Leader Axis in the last period had three main roles: to stimulate endogenous local development, increase the organisational capacity of rural communities governance and encouraging innovation (DG AGRI guide, 2011). In general Leader approach (Basic guide to the LEADER approach, 2006) consists of seven key …show more content…
As it is also seen from South Tyrolean LAG action plans innovation in LEADER generally does not represent innovation in technological sense, rather than that it may mean the introduction of a new product, a new process, a new organisation or a new market. Especially in the rural area it mostly represents »something is new to the area« by adopting innovations developed elsewhere and adapting them to new environment, circumstances or requirements. To give LAGs as much flexibility as possible LEADER approach gives very general picture on what can be innovative practice in rural areas. Besides implying the transfer and adaption of innovations developed elsewhere it may also imply the modernisation of traditional forms of know-how or finding new solutions to persistent rural problems which other policy interventions have not been able to solve in a satisfactory and sustainable way (Basic guide to the LEADER approach, 2006, 12). Innovation in that sense is also encouraged by bottom-up approach, innovative notion of the LEADER programme, which gives voice to local stakeholders and invites them to take the lead and participate, and networking as an exchange of experience and lessons learned from local rural