Social Network Analysis of the Organizations Implementing Leader Approach in Bulgaria

Mariyana Shishkova

Abstract: The scope of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union has been redirected in recent decades from a general focus on sectorial policies to ones designed according to the specific requirements of concrete regions and, therefore, territorially based. The purpose of the current research is to study the network of organizations implementing the LEADER approach in Bulgaria and to determine the important parameters that could influence the development of rural areas. The main hypothesis is that the level of structural social capital of Local Action Groups (LAGs) should increase during the research period. The methodology used includes two principal methods: document and social network analyses. As a result of the conducted research, the following conclusion has been drawn – the exchange of experience and collaboration on projects among the observed organizations increased within the investigated period.

Keywords: local action groups; rural areas; social capital

Date published: 2018-01-31