The role of local action groups in the development of rural areas

P. Chmeliński

Abstract: Prognosis of changes in the population in Poland by implies positive net migration to rural areas, as a result of an outflow of population from large cities to small towns and villages, particularly those located in the close vicinity of agglomerations. The change in the functions of rural areas will therefore result, in spite of the downward trend in the changes of population living in rural areas, its share in the overall population will be systematically increasing. At the same time the increase in the number of jobs in cities and the development of communication infrastructure will solidify the division between highlyurbanised and remote villages, situated far from cities, which will remain dependent on agricultural activity. Adjusting the policy towards rural areas to different development conditions of suburban and typically rural areas will require further decentralisation of the process of creating and implementing development programmes, so that they could take into account the local needs and resources unique to a given area. The most important are the actions implemented under the Leader programme, in the field of activating the local community and building social capital within the framework of axis IV of the Rural Development Programme for the years 2007-2013 (PROW).

Keywords: EU policy; Leader programme; local action groups; PROW 2007-2013; rural areas; social capital

Date published: 2018-01-31