<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper examines the relevance of networking as an instrument for implementing European rural development policies. The LEADER programme of the European Union (EU) supports partnerships and networking within and between rural regions in the EU and aims at advancing rural, regional socio-economic development. LEADER and the establishment of the European and National Networks for Rural Development, respectively, are discussed using the example of the case of Romania, where these measures are currently implemented. The discussion is primarily based on results of 2008 surveys among various stakeholders involved in LEADER in Romania, Hungary and Germany. We conclude that networking is a key factor for successfully implementing rural development policies. This is due to benefits resulting from the exchange of experiences or partnerships, but also due to social control - a hidden effect of networking.</p></abstract>

This paper examines the relevance of networking as an instrument for implementing European rural development policies. The LEADER programme of the European Union (EU) supports partnerships and networking within and between rural regions in the EU and aims at advancing rural, regional socio-economic development. LEADER and the establishment of the European and National Networks for Rural Development, respectively, are discussed using the example of the case of Romania, where these measures are currently implemented. The discussion is primarily based on results of 2008 surveys among various stakeholders involved in LEADER in Romania, Hungary and Germany. We conclude that networking is a key factor for successfully implementing rural development policies. This is due to benefits resulting from the exchange of experiences or partnerships, but also due to social control - a hidden effect of networking.

EU-wide networking: an instrumental valuable for European rural development policies in Romania?

Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development, Central and Eastern Europe (IAMO)

European Countryside

This paper examines the relevance of networking as an instrument for implementing European rural development policies. The LEADER programme of the European...

EU-wide networking: an instrumental valuable for European rural development policies in Romania?

Published Online: Dec 10, 2009

Page range: 210 - 226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10091-009-0017-1

Keywords
Rural development policies, LEADER, European Network for Rural Development, networking, Romania

This content is open access.

EU-wide networking: an instrumental valuable for European rural development policies in Romania?

Published Online: Dec 10, 2009

Page range: 210 - 226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10091-009-0017-1

KeywordsRural development policies, LEADER, European Network for Rural Development, networking, Romania

This content is open access.

Keywords
Rural development policies, LEADER, European Network for Rural Development, networking, Romania