<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> In the EU new programming period 2014-2020 the Leader approach become part of community-led local development (CLLD). Under Slovak conditions, partnerships, which intend to get the legal status of local action group (LAG), are currently in the process of preparing and formulating their CLLD Strategies. Leader approach is characterised by 7 principles, which should be horizontally presented throughout the implementation process. The multilevel governance presented in the implementation of Leader approach includes the management and implementation of rural development programme, through which the Leader is implemented, as well as, formation of LAGs, as the mediators of the approach at local level. Both levels may have supporting or constraining effects on the application of Leader principles in the Leader delivery. The paper focuses on analysing the differences between theory and practice in the conditions of the Slovak Republic when answering the evaluation question: Are stakeholders in Slovakia ready for community led local development? To answer the question, six LAGs were assessed using the focus group as the assessment tool. Representatives of the national authorities were interviewed in order to complete the picture of the evaluated topic. The study pointed out several shortcomings in basic preconditions allowing smooth application of the CLLD.</p></abstract>

In the EU new programming period 2014-2020 the Leader approach become part of community-led local development (CLLD). Under Slovak conditions, partnerships, which intend to get the legal status of local action group (LAG), are currently in the process of preparing and formulating their CLLD Strategies. Leader approach is characterised by 7 principles, which should be horizontally presented throughout the implementation process. The multilevel governance presented in the implementation of Leader approach includes the management and implementation of rural development programme, through which the Leader is implemented, as well as, formation of LAGs, as the mediators of the approach at local level. Both levels may have supporting or constraining effects on the application of Leader principles in the Leader delivery. The paper focuses on analysing the differences between theory and practice in the conditions of the Slovak Republic when answering the evaluation question: Are stakeholders in Slovakia ready for community led local development? To answer the question, six LAGs were assessed using the focus group as the assessment tool. Representatives of the national authorities were interviewed in order to complete the picture of the evaluated topic. The study pointed out several shortcomings in basic preconditions allowing smooth application of the CLLD.

Are Stakeholders in Slovakia Ready for Community-Led Local Development? Case Study Findings

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 74 Nitra,

The European Network for Rural Development - Evaluation Helpdesk,Boulevard Saint Michel 77-79, B-1040 Brussels,

European Countryside

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

In the EU new programming period 2014-2020 the Leader approach become part of community-led local development (CLLD). Under Slovak conditions, partnerships,...

Are Stakeholders in Slovakia Ready for Community-Led Local Development? Case Study Findings

Article Category: Research articles

Published Online: Sep 22, 2016

Page range: 160 - 174

Received: Feb 19, 2016

Accepted: Jun 30, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/euco-2016-0013

Keywords
Leader approach, community- led local development, local action group, rural development

© by Monika Bumbalová

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Are Stakeholders in Slovakia Ready for Community-Led Local Development? Case Study Findings

Article Category: Research articles

Published Online: Sep 22, 2016

Page range: 160 - 174

Received: Feb 19, 2016

Accepted: Jun 30, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/euco-2016-0013

KeywordsLeader approach, community- led local development, local action group, rural development

© by Monika Bumbalová

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Leader approach, community- led local development, local action group, rural development