Local Development Agencies Research Articles

BUSINESS TRAVEL MOTIVATIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF TRADE FAIRS VISITORS: EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRADE FAIRS IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE

This research investigates the motivations and objectives of visitor participation in trade fairs in Thessaloniki. In particular, the trend of combining professional goals with the entertainment of visitors is investigated. The aim of the research is to determine whether the inclination to blend economic goals with entertainment is a shared characteristic among attendees of all trade fair events, or if it varies in any manner. Mixed methods research was used: quantitative research (1,066 participants) and in-depth interviews (51 participants). In order to comprehensively understand phenomena and ensure validity, the triangulation approach was used. The results showed that the type of trade fair is related to visitors' participation objectives. Specifically, the reason for visiting the trade fairs addressed to the general public is mainly entertainment, while those of the specialized sectoral trade fairs are mainly business-related. However, even in the sectoral trade fairs there is a significant percentage in several cases that mentions fun-entertainment as an objective. These results are of great research importance, but also of managerial importance, both for the trade fair organizers and for the local tourism development agencies.

Role of Local and External Development Agencies in the Implementation of Development Projects within the Context of Conflict and Insecurity: Case of the Southwest Region of Cameroon

Role of Local and External Development Agencies in the Implementation of Development Projects within the Context of Conflict and Insecurity: Case of the Southwest Region of Cameroon

What is the experience with governance models that manage and engage diverse stakeholders through a closure transition?

Traditionally understood in technical, environmental and (to a lesser extent) socio-economic terms, mine closure and transition is increasingly recognized as a significant governance challenge. Governance, in this context, refers not merely to the legal aspects of mine reclamation or closure regulation but rather the broader suite of actors, institutions, processes, methods, rules and practices that guide and oversee mine site transitions. Governance structures, interactions and practices are shaped by power relations as well as reflecting embedded norms and values. Since the 1980s, mine closure governance has expanded from a preoccupation by industry and governments with hazard mitigation, environmental reclamation and, in some cases, economic and social ‘adjustment,’ to encompass a wider set of social, economic and environmental aspects of closure (Kendall 1992; Laurence 2006). These issues may affect workers, local and regional development agencies, Indigenous rightsholders, fenceline communities and environmental advocates, among others (Bainton and Holcombe 2018; Everingham et al. 2020). This broad range of actors and issues, in turn, has generated reactions and responses from individual companies, industry associations and governments at all levels seeking to mitigate closure and transition impacts (Morrison-Saunders et al. 2016; Owen and Kemp 2018; Hodge and Brehaut 2023).

The Influence of Educational Recreational Kits on Participation and Attendance of Students in Emergency under Accelerated Learning Program (ALP); a Mixed Research Article conducted in Mekelle IDP Sites, Tigray

This paper analyzed the influence of provision of education recreational materials on the participation and attendance rate of internally displaced children in 8 selected internally displaced people (IDP) sites with accelerated learning programs (ALP) out of 26 sites camping in Mekelle, Tigray using mixed research type and sequential explanatory design. Sequential mixed methods sampling was used to select 8 IDP sites for quantitative conveniently and 4 IDP sites for qualitative purposefully. The data collected from secondary and primary sources have been analyzed using paired samples statistics and T tests in the quantitative part and using thematic descriptions in the qualitative part. The study revealed that the provision of educational recreational materials to children in ALPs significantly increases the participation and attendance rate of the ALP children for which the mean of the attendance rate after provision (M = 68.50) is greater than before provision (M = 59.25), and T tests t(7) = -9.839, p = .000, p < 0.05 which is also supported by the qualitative result that students, teachers and parents also assured that. As a result, the provision of educational recreational materials to ALP children has a significant influence on their participation and attendance rates. This recommends governments, philanthropists, local and international humanitarian and development agencies, and others to initiate with this intervention and conduct further study on how it meets the cognitive, psychosocial, and developmental needs of the children beyond its influence on participation and attendance rates of children attending education in emergency programs.

The Challenges and Examination of New Programme Ubudehe 2020 in Rwanda

Ubudehe is a Rwandan practice and a cultural value of mutual assistance among people living in the same area in order to overcome or solve their socio-economic problems. In the past, Ubudehe was pre-occupied in agricultural activities to ensure timely agricultural operations for food security purposes. As a form of social capital, Ubudehe involved trust and reciprocity. The practice of Ubudehe in the traditional context was a mechanism of bringing together the community, sharing the burden of problem solving, maintaining social norms, social cohesion and ensuring social control among communities living together. The main pillars of social protection consist of eradication of extreme poverty and ensuring prosperity and wellbeing for everyone, but all these cannot be achieved without a fundamental baseline that is based on poverty levels amongst Rwandan population. The Ubudehe categorization was first established by the Government of Rwanda in 2000 as part of the strategies to address poverty reduction and recently these categories were revised from four numerical naming to five letters (A, B, C, D, E). The discussion with a representative of the Local Administrative Development Entities (LODA) was focusing on putting clear distinctions between the new Ubudehe categories and the previous ones as well as tacking the issue of new aspects and what the general public should expect from the new categorization. At the end of year 2020, all people in Rwandan are giving the main information with categorization in new ubudehe programme 2020. The local government leadership with Loda helps the people to get all information in collaboration LODA and MINALOC. The challenges demonstrate how a process of community consultation and participation is able to identify and rank community members according to “social poverty”, drawing on the Ubudehe tradition which is considered a strength of Rwanda’s social fabric. This article highlights 5 challenges related to new categories differentiations and comparison between the old ubudehe with new ubudehe program: 1) The system used to identify the people from one category refers to the documentation riche and richest poor and non-power ranking and the barriers of lacking information from villages and the population system also can be the barriers; 2) We need to know the difference between the new ubudehe programme and old ubudehe program; 3) Categorization based on the salaries also is a challenge; 4) The same features characterize as old ubudehe programme and all of people do not have a category; 5) No Training for implantation, fail system computerization and no regularly public debates and private with overall objective. Data generated through of 385 interviews were conducted during May 2022 to October 2022 by research survey group at Musanze District with 15 Sectors. On impact, 95% of the sample confirms that their incomes had improved; within that, about 71% consider that their income had doubled and 22% consider that their income had more than tripled. In addition, unplanned and unintended changes occurred through Ubudehe, as actually noticed in the sample of villages with the creation of 4805 temporary or more long-term jobs, through the construction of classrooms, health centres, roads and bridges, mills, electricity and water infrastructures, as well as the creation of radical terraces. The radical terraces make it possible to fight against erosion, which is important in Rwanda because of strong frequent rains on steeply sloping grounds. A notable cultural change has also been witnessed. Currently, under the oversight of the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), Ubudehe program is managed by the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) through District and Sector administration.

Local and regional development agencies: the experiences of ADESG and EVOLUT in the municipality of Guarapuava-PR

Local and regional development agencies: the experiences of ADESG and EVOLUT in the municipality of Guarapuava-PR

Can Project Management Methodologies in International Development Agencies Be Of Interest To Local Interventionist Agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa

International development agencies (IDAs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) execute projects in some countries with the view to alleviate poverty where the projects are to be domiciled, ensure development, amongst stakeholders. Subsequently, over the years researchers have viewed such projects to be successful when x-rayed under the prism of the various derived Project Management Methodologies (PMMs)/tools by Project Managers in the organizations to monitor the projects. Unfortunately, researchers were silent on what made the tools effective. To bridge this gap, and to understand the role of PMMs in project monitoring in IDAs and NGOs, this study review and synthesises the little existing research evidence through a systematic literature review. A range of peer reviewed journal articles between 2010 and 2020 (inclusive) that address the application of PMMs/tools in project monitoring in IDAs/NGOs was systematically assessed. Based on inclusion and selection criteria, 10 eligible articles were selected for final review. It was revealed that there had been different adaptations of the Logical Framework (LF), and the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) used in IDAs/NGOs for project monitoring in the respective IDAs/NGOs, the study also revealed how the updated/adapted LF were made compatible with today’s project management tools, making project monitoring in IDAs/NGOs effective. Consequently, the study aimed at evaluating the frameworks, its evolutions from various researchers’ paradigms. The objective is to establish some level of awareness and utilization of PMMs/tools for the benefit of researchers, students, and stakeholders in the construction industry. Keywords: Non-Governmental Organizations, Tools, Project Managers, Local Development Agencies.

Development Agencies and Local Governments—Coexistence within the Same Territory

This article proposes a discussion on the form of coexistence of local Development Agencies in Uruguay, with local governments in the face of the new scenarios marked by the decentralization process, initiated in the country with the Constitutional Reform of 1996 and culminating in February 2009, with the Law of Political Decentralization and Citizen Participation. The discussion applies in particular to the local development agency of the city of Rivera (ADR), located in the northeast of the country. A descriptive, mixed, bibliographic, documentary investigation was carried out with primary data collection to internal and external references to ADR. The results show that the coexistence of both institutions has been difficult, without defining clear roles. Promoting dialogue to define the role of each seems to be the great challenge facing the sustainability of the agency.

Exploring Pathways for Promoting and Scaling Up Climate-Smart Agriculture in Myanmar

This paper explores potential pathways for promoting and scaling up the uptake of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Myanmar, using qualitative methods. Key informant interviews with stakeholders from government, research institutes, international and local development agencies, and the private sector identified technology development as an important investment and action area. A desk review of policy documents revealed that considerations on climate change adaptation in agriculture are embedded in Myanmar’s international commitments and national plans, including policies on making the agriculture sector resilient. Moreover, climate change resilience has been framed as a key component of the country’s sustainable development plans. This means the basic framework for advocating and promoting CSA is already in place. However, policies on land, water, environment, seed, and fertilizer and pesticide management are poorly enforced. In addition, the extension system has an inadequate coverage and reach of the remote communities. In the current political context of Myanmar, the process of policymaking has changed. Thus, the impetus for shaping an enabling environment for scaling up CSA will likely shift toward more active citizen engagement via local nongovernment organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and independent academic institutions. There are opportunities for policy integration to effectively scale up CSA, but much remains to be done. Donors of Myanmar have a special opportunity to support the integration of CSA into their respective country program strategies. Likewise, local and international NGOs may take this opportunity to mainstream CSA into various conventional development programs, such as livelihood development, women’s empowerment, and food security and nutrition. On the other hand, academic institutions can pursue research opportunities to support the development of CSA technologies and approaches and to generate evidence for input to capacity development, advocacy, and policymaking.

Interactive radio instruction – a legacy of COVID-19 for marginalized adolescent girls of Baluchistan

PurposeThis paper aims to report insights from the planning and execution phase of an interactive radio instruction (IRI) intervention envisioned as a medium-term response plan to address school closures amidst the global Coronavirus pandemic. The project has been envisioned by a local development agency in the province of Balochistan for adolescent out-of-school (OOS) girls.Design/methodology/approachThis study reports respondents’ academic achievement through the one-group pretest-posttest design method across numeracy, literacy, civic education and indigenous crafts. Participating adolescent girl respondents were randomly selected from six districts of Balochistan and the results assert a positive impact of IRI intervention. Thus, showcasing IRI as a promising approach to address protracted challenges of educational accessibility in remote areas of Pakistan.FindingsThe mean score comparison of pre-test–post-test across four curriculum subjects indicates the greatest gains in numeracy and civic education. Results also highlight the significance of the pedagogical capacity of IRI developers and the quality of supplementary educational kits paired with IRI during this intervention.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study focus on design and implementation phases eliminating the analysis of learners’ behaviour, environmental factors and family support. Further research is suggested to identify gaps in related dimensions for the success of IRI in Pakistan.Originality/valueThis study contributes data-driven findings from a pioneer on-going IRI project in Balochistan, a hard-to-reach province where the ratio of OOS adolescent girls exceeds 78%. This study also proposes vital steps for the longevity of IRI to solve protracted educational crises in Pakistan.

Visibility of development stories in selected religious media discourse

This study explores patterns in the portrayal of development issues in the religious media from 1993 to 2021, in an attempt to illustrate the existence of hierarchical representations of development issues using sources, actors, and dominant frames. To this end, we use a quantitative method that considers the development content of two Ethiopian religious magazines: Hamer and Hintset. Our results reveal that across the selected years, the two magazines together presented 685 articles on development (359 the Hamer and 326 in Hintset). We employ data analysis using SPSS software, in which both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were utilized for data presentation. We determine that political, economic, and natural resource development issues are the most scarcely covered issues as compared to social, moral, peace themes. Economic (chi-square = 5.122, p = 0.024, and p < 0.05), social development issues (chi-square = 6.207, p = 0.018, and p < 0.05) have a relationship with the year of publication in Hintset. Adherents, believers at the grassroots level, were the most frequent sources and story actors in the magazines. This shows participatory development communication was employed in the mediatization of development issues. The frame of development issues did not have a relationship with the year of publication. Finally, Hamer and Hintset included significant coverage of development issues, although development priorities are different. Hamer covered more social development issues whereas Hintset covered more moral development issues. In summary, our findings reveal that the religious media’s representation of development (685 articles, 38.8%) is at a high level in Ethiopia. We, therefore, suggest that local and global development agencies should work with faith-based media as development partners.

Assessment of agricultural emissions, climate change mitigation and adaptation practices in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The agricultural sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Ethiopia, as it is the basis of the economy and the primary source of employment. This study investigated the implementation of mitigation and adaptation practices in smallholder farms in Ethiopia, estimated GHG emissions associated with mitigation practices, and identified potential mitigation options and barriers and enabling factors for implementation. Twenty-five smallholder farmers were selected by a local development agency and interviewed in the field about their land use and land management practices and the Mitigation Options Tool (MOT) was used to estimate GHG emissions, to identify mitigation options and co-benefits, and as a platform for promoting learning and knowledge exchange across different types of stakeholders. All farmers interviewed in the field acknowledged changes in the climate, but only some were implementing adaptation practices to cope with such changes, namely, crop rotations, planting new crop types, and the early sowing of crops. Fewer mitigation practices were implemented, namely reduced tillage and application of manure in cereal crops and potatoes. These practices were mainly implemented because of their benefits for soil conservation (e.g. fertility, soil water holding capacity, yield stabilization, erosion avoidance) rather than for mitigation (carbon sequestration) purposes. Greenhouse gas emissions from the application of synthetic fertilizer to crops, and from livestock production varied widely across farmers depending on the amount of fertilizer applied and the number and type of livestock raised. Tenancy rights and extension services were identified as potential enablers of the adoption of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, and competing uses for straw was a potential barrier for the incorporation of residues in the soil. Barriers and enabling factors should be assessed thoroughly through further engagement with farmers as well as data on the amount of organic matter added to the soil, as these practices have co-benefits in terms of soil conservation, which are especially relevant for climate change adaptation in semi-dry climates. The MOT could be used in the future as a facilitator for knowledge exchange between researchers and practitioners in Ethiopia, and in other developing countries where data availability is low, to support the identification of effective climate change mitigation and adaptation actions. Key policy insights Climate change mitigation practices in agriculture can provide co-benefits for adaptation and food security, including the stabilization of crop yields, especially in semi-dry climates; more evidence about these co-benefits is needed. The systematic collection of data on manure and crop residues should be supported as a priority as well as the identification of implementation barriers for mitigation and adaptation practices. Smallholder farmers need to be engaged throughout any assessment of climate change mitigation potential to raise awareness, identify co-benefits of possible actions, and to identify and address barriers for implementation. Tenancy rights and extension services are potential enabling factors for the adoption of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. In developing countries, user-friendly tools such as the MOT can promote learning and knowledge exchange across diverse stakeholder groups about the impact of land use and management options on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Building a community-based alliance: A communities-of-practice perspective from Ireland

Community organizations work on the frontline supported by local authorities, development agencies and higher education institutions. However, their actions have been curtailed by a reduction in funding over the last ten years and there is evidence of underlying structural challenges. The high levels of small community decline challenge us to develop new insights into the causes of failure and develop innovative approaches to growth. In this article, we adopt a communities of practice perspective to explore the formation of a community-based alliance in Ireland. Data were collected during a series of focus groups with community stakeholders. We argue that intense collaboration that cuts across institutional domains is required. Therefore, community-based alliances should form a key part of rural (re)development by providing opportunities for knowledge sharing, peer learning and mutual support. We propose a conceptual framework that illustrates the benefits of a structured and coordinated approach.

State of strategic planning of regional and local development in the Lviv region

State of strategic planning of regional and local development in the Lviv region

Convergences between the Social and Solidarity Economy and Sustainable Development Goals: Case Study in the Basque Country

This article analyzes the potential of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) to foster the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Local public policies play an important role in supporting both the SSE and SDGs. We select a case study of four SSE projects of a local development agency in the Basque Country, where the SSE has a considerable presence through diverse forms and experiences. We address how these projects, which are implemented in a coordinated and transversal manner, contribute to many specific targets within SDG goals number 8 (growth and decent work), 12 (sustainable consumption and production patterns), and 5 (gender equity). However, some limitations have also been identified: (i) trade-offs, in both SSE and SDGs, between economic growth and other aims centered on environmental sustainability; and (ii) avoidance of handling issues, which limits a systemic transformation.

БЕНЧМАРКІНГ У СИСТЕМІ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНИМ РОЗВИТКОМ ОБ’ЄДНАНИХ ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИХ ГРОМАД

Досліджено бенчмаркінг як інструмент ефективного управління економічним розвитком добровільно об’єднаної територіальної громади. Ефективне використання технології бенчмаркінгу, ключовою особливістю якого є творчий характер, орієнтація на кращі практики з подальшою синергією результатів, – невід’ємна передумова успішного розвитку новостворених територіальних систем. Обґрунтовано доцільність запровадження інструмента бенчмаркінгу через зміну моделі публічного управління. Визначено ключові питання, які виникають перед територіальними утвореннями як самостійними гравцями ринку в результаті проведення реформи територіальної організації влади. Для покращення якості життя й активізації економічного потенціалу конкретної громади наголошено на доцільності трисекторного управління місцевим економічним розвитком: управління, що передбачає співпрацю публічного сектору (влади), економічного сектору (бізнесу) та неурядового сектору (громадськості). Досліджено критерії добору стейкхолдерів місцевого економічного розвитку, здатних стати справжніми рушіями змін на краще.Результати, отримані при вивченні поточного стану територіального утворення порівняно з іншими, узагальнено в економічному профілі громади. Окреслено чинники, що визначають доцільність складання економічного профілю і при цьому розглядаються як певний стимул для всіх учасників партисипативного планування виступити користувачами цієї інформації. Проведено групування стимулів для стейкхолдерів місцевого економічного розвитку.Встановлено можливі групи інструментів місцевого економічного розвитку. Наведено аргументи на користь таких його інструментів, як створення сільськогосподарських кооперативів, заснування агенцій місцевого розвитку та облаштування територій присутності бізнесу. Визначено складові проєктної пропозиції, за результатами аналізу яких проєкт оцінюється з позиції економічної та соціальної корисності для громади.

Las agencias de empleo y desarrollo local y el uso de las redes sociales en la promoción turística relacional

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el análisis sobre la utilización de las redes sociales, centrándonos en el uso de Facebook de una muestra de Agencias de Empleo y Desarrollo Local (AEDL) ubicadas en la provincia de A Coruña (España), con el propósito de determinar, según un ranking establecido por la herramienta de análisis de contenido Likealyzer, los aspectos positivos y negativos de su aplicación. El uso de Facebook en las instituciones políticas públicas parece ser una técnica de comunicación relacional actual, empleada desde la estrategia de las relaciones públicas, necesaria y generadora de nuevas oportunidades; sin embargo, este estudio revela los aciertos, carencias y problemáticas derivadas de una gestión no exenta de dificultades. La importancia del tema radica en que el contexto actual caracterizado por el avance de las tecnologías —y con ellas las redes sociales— propician un panorama “glocal” para los gestores de desarrollo socioeconómico, como las AEDL, lo que motiva el estudio de su uso en la promoción turística como parte de la estrategia de desarrollo local. Se observará que dichas problemáticas en la gestión de las redes sociales provocan problemas de comunicación y de gobierno de la imagen hacia sus públicos.

Assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture in Norte de Santander, Colombia

Agriculture in the Andean region of Colombia is vulnerable to climate change and warrants the evaluation of its impact on the small agricultural family home to the mountain. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of climate change on the agricultural sector of the Bochalema municipality, Norte de Santander Department, using the methodology of the Integrated Relevant Criteria to identify and assess impact in order to provide essential input to support the decisions of local development agencies. This investigation reveals high fragility in the sector and underinvestment in public policies, strategies, plans and programs. Keywords: agriculture, climate change, assessment, impacts. JEL classification: Q51, Q54.

IM2, un Modelo de Madurez para la innovación en PYMEs

Este artículo presenta una herramienta para evaluar de una forma rápida los enfoques y prácticas de innovación de una PYME. Para el desarrollo del modelo de madurez propuesto (IM2), se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura que se ha centrado en las buenas prácticas relacionadas con la innovación y su gestión. La experiencia de implantación muestra la bondad de la herramienta a la hora de focalizar la innovación en áreas estratégicas de la empresa, así como un método práctico para el fomento de la innovación en las PYMEs a través de una “receta paso a paso”.

Spatial Spillovers Revisited: Innovation, Human Capital and Local Dynamics

AbstractThis symposium focuses on understanding key territorial‐level innovation trends and processes by country, region and technology. It questions various widely accepted assumptions, offers fresh perspectives, both conceptually and methodologically, and challenges a paradigm shift in the field of innovation and spatial dynamics. It consists of three articles analysing at different scales (urban, regional and national) the territorial dynamics of innovation and their determinants. The innovation process, with local symbiosis and spatial spillovers at its core, is analysed within the conceptual framework of national and regional innovation systems and regional economic development. Based on a discussion of spatial spillovers and the way they shape the evolutionary and symbiotic relationships between local agents and actors, including university, industry and local development agencies, the symposium highlights the relevance of this framework for a better understanding of the transformation of local economic development processes. It investigates the differences in the geography of innovation regarding different institutional settings, different systems of innovation, and different national innovation strategies. While addressing mainly the EU, the US, and emerging countries such as China and India, the contributions also highlight the critical role of current innovation policies from a general perspective. In so doing, the symposium recognizes a contrarian perspective that argues that contemporary information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide a way to leapfrog the dominant role of proximity in innovation processes, creating a complimentary rather than a substitution effect for more remote and peripheral places. That said, this symposium focuses primarily on an urban network view of the innovation process and proximal effects in this context.