<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>LEADER local action groups (LAGs) have become an integral part of the European rural landscape. Our article examines how LEADER groups operate in Hungary by analysing their territorial, symbolic and institutional shape, and the established role of LAGs in Hungary. The results reveal an irregular territorial shape combined with uncertain symbolic form. The institutional constellation is significantly influenced by the size of the member municipalities. Action groups integrating smaller local authorities must involve more NGOs and enterprises to fulfil participatory regulations. Local bureaux are small and their functions are not differentiated according to the state of development. Although Hungarian LAGs, in a European comparison, have many levels of tasks their level of governance is relatively low.</p></abstract>

LEADER local action groups (LAGs) have become an integral part of the European rural landscape. Our article examines how LEADER groups operate in Hungary by analysing their territorial, symbolic and institutional shape, and the established role of LAGs in Hungary. The results reveal an irregular territorial shape combined with uncertain symbolic form. The institutional constellation is significantly influenced by the size of the member municipalities. Action groups integrating smaller local authorities must involve more NGOs and enterprises to fulfil participatory regulations. Local bureaux are small and their functions are not differentiated according to the state of development. Although Hungarian LAGs, in a European comparison, have many levels of tasks their level of governance is relatively low.

Specialities in the Institutionalisation of Hungarian Leader Local Action Groups

Institute of Geography and Environmental Sciences

European Countryside

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

{"article-title":"Specialities in the Institutionalisation of Hungarian Leader Local Action Groups"}

LEADER local action groups (LAGs) have become an integral part of the European rural landscape. Our article examines how LEADER groups operate in Hungary by...

Specialities in the Institutionalisation of Hungarian Leader Local Action Groups

Published Online: Apr 04, 2018

Page range: 89 - 106

Received: Mar 24, 2017

Accepted: Jan 29, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2018-0006

Keywords
Rural development, LEADER approach, governance, institutionalisation

© 2018 Csaba Patkós, published by De Gruyter Open

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

Specialities in the Institutionalisation of Hungarian Leader Local Action Groups

Published Online: Apr 04, 2018

Page range: 89 - 106

Received: Mar 24, 2017

Accepted: Jan 29, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2018-0006

KeywordsRural development, LEADER approach, governance, institutionalisation

© 2018 Csaba Patkós, published by De Gruyter Open

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

Keywords
Rural development, LEADER approach, governance, institutionalisation