Local partnerships for rural development: the European experience

Book abstract:

This book concentrates on the rural development and the establishment of local partnerships in six European Union (EU) countries: Italy, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the UK and Spain, although it also gives some attention to Ireland and Luxemburg. Working largely from the results of research into 330 partnerships across these countries, it provides data on the practice of partnerships, their influence and implications of economic growth within Europe. The work aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of local partnerships on rural development, as well as establishing the ways and means of improving the situation.

After an initial summary, the book comprises of seven sections and appendices. The first offers introductory material into both the broader issue of local partnerships and rural development, and research objectives. Section two consists of a literature review and theoretical perspectives, and section three evaluates the research design and methodology of the study itself. In section four there is work on the data derived from the sample of countries under review, and section five turns to the study of the practice of rural partnerships in those countries. Section six studies the impact of local partnerships, its determinants and effects, and section seven contains conclusions and recommendations for further development, including those on better funding, skills, the delegation of power to subgroups, more community involvement and further research.

The book is intended for both those working in and academics researching rural development and rural studies.