The role of local communities in the development of European Union rural areas

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present the results of the research on the role of local action groups (LAG) in the development of rural areas in the member states of the European Union (EU). The most important postulate of the investigation is the scientifi cally grounded and practice-tested statement that only by relying on rural communities it is possible to objectively determine the pressing problems that need to be solved within the boundaries of various rural areas. Moreover, with the help of rural population (especially its active part, youth, entrepreneurs, farmers) it is advisable to implement the social, economic, environmental projects developed there, in the positive results of which both rural residents and the state are interested. The scientific work uses analytical and review methods of analysis (including the discourse method), which (together with the widespread use of modern statistical information, reporting materials of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the content of the relevant legislation) made it possible to formulate a number of practice-oriented conclusions. Most of them relate to the possibilities of European rural communities (institutionalized in a certain way) to solve such problems of the countryside as rising unemployment, limited fi nancing for rural development, reduced public investment in the development of rural areas, sequestration of state spending on the development of the social sphere within the boundaries of rural areas, poverty and social insulation. In general, the European experience of encouraging local participation in achieving the goals and priorities of rural development put forward by society through the support of the LEADER / CLLD initiatives under the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) not only has many positive consequences, but also includes time-tested practices, worthy of implementation in the modern conditions of the domestic environment.