Le développement rural en Lituanie : entre désengagement de l'État, émergence d'une société civile et apprentissage des outils européens

Abstract

Rural development in Lithuania: Between government withdrawal, the emergence of "civil society" and learning how to use European policy tools Dismantling the collectivistic model in the 1990s has led to strong social differentiation in rural societies and disrupted operations there. The generalized bankruptcy of the farms formed out of the privatization of kolkhozes and sovkhozes has resulted in unemployment and poverty. It has also destroyed social and cultural infrastructures, and seriously affected living conditions in the countryside. Despite this worrisome social and economic situation, rural policies have, during the first decade after the country's return to independence, exclusively focused on farming and modernizing commercial farms. Since Lithuania joined the EU in 2004, the government has been forced to formulate a policy in line with the EU's, which provides financial and technical support mainly through the LEADER initiative (Links between Actions for the Development of the Rural Economy). After an initial experimental phase (2004-2006) centered around funding educational projects, the program has, for the period 2007-2013, adopted a broad policy of diversifying economic activities and renovating villages by drawing on projects worked out by local action groups — the new public and private actors touted by the EU. A lack of democracy and institutional shortcomings at the district level limit this transfer of the European model. Light is shed on the growing importance of the "rural communities" and local action groups that sprung up in the countryside during the 1990s in reaction to reduced government support.