Rural Development Network Research Articles

Filling in the gaps: examining the prevalence of Black homelessness in Canada

PurposeDue to ongoing inequities in the social determinants of health and systemic barriers, homelessness continues to be a significant concern that disproportionately impacts racialized communities. Despite constituting a small proportion of the population, Black individuals are over-represented among people experiencing homelessness in many Canadian cities. However, although Black homelessness in Canada is a pressing issue, it has received limited attention in the academic literature. The purpose of this paper is to examine the reported prevalence of Black homelessness across Canada.Design/methodology/approachBy consulting enumerations from 61 designated communities that participated in the 2018 Nationally Coordinated Point-in-Time Count and two regional repositories – one for homeless counts supported by the government of British Columbia and another from the Rural Development Network – this paper reports on the scale and scope of Black homelessness across Canada.FindingsSignificantly, these reports demonstrate that Black people are over-represented among those experiencing homelessness compared to local and national populations. These enumerations also demonstrate significant gaps in the reporting of Black homelessness and inadequate nuance in data collection methods, which limit the ability of respondents to describe their identity beyond “Black.”Originality/valueThis research provides an unprecedented examination of Black homelessness across Canada and concludes with recommendations to expand knowledge on this important and under-researched issue, provide suggestions for future iterations of homeless enumerations and facilitate the development of inclusive housing policy.

Stakeholder Empowerment in Sustainable Rural Development Partnerships: Two Case Studies from Italy

The funds allocated through the EU Rural Development Programme provided the engine for local stakeholders to interact, forming mixed collaboration partnerships. This paper investigates the structure of such partnerships with the aim of verifying whether (R1) there are significant differences between the various stakeholder categories in influencing the rural development process, and (R2) which categories of stakeholders are more empowered in directing the design of sustainable rural development. The study is focused on two Italian cases: the regions of Apulia and Veneto. Using a combination of SNA and nonparametric tests, the results demonstrate that the empowerment of the stakeholders followed unequal paths in the two cases; i.e., a central role is clearly played by economic associations in Apulia, while this power is more distributed between different kinds of stakeholders in the case of Veneto. Agricultural associations in Apulia play an important role in the densely connected rural development network, promoting information flow and collective action. On the other hand, the weakness of this configuration lies in the fact that the rural development agenda can receive strong pressure from the agricultural sector, pushing more sectoral strategies in turn. Private companies play a key role in Veneto’s rural development, bridging the network gaps between more clustered local groups and increasing pluralism and inclusion. However, the network is sparse and shrinking, posing challenges in terms of coordination and collective action. This kind of evaluation makes policymakers and managers aware of both the most influential and weakest actors. This is crucial to improving the effectiveness and sustainability of the project, as they can involve the most influential groups from the early stages of the design process to ensure support as well as address the needs of the lagging stakeholder categories to reinforce tacit rules, trust, accountability, and responsibilities.

Transnational Inter-Territorial Cooperation in the LEADER Approach. The Cases of Finland and Spain

This research focuses on the LEADER approach, the practice of neo-endogenous rural development inside the European Union (EU), and inside of this, one of its basic specificities, transnational cooperation projects (TNCP), specifically for Finland and Spain, and for the 2007-2013 programming period, what implementation problems have these projects faced? What effects have been derived from their application? To obtain quantitative information, the reports from the European Rural Development Network have been analyzed; and to extract detailed information, the reports of the National Rural Network of Spain, of Nordic-Baltic LEADER Cooperation Award, have been consulted, in addition to for some projects, the reports of these TNCPs of each Local Action Group; and in the cases that those responsible for these TNCPs have been found, the data extracted from a questionnaire, answered by 19 of them. The data show that PCTNs have not obtained the needed expectations, mainly due to bureaucratic, economic problems, and even, due to the lack of willingness of the initial and last stakeholders and managers in charge to implement them. Therefore, the potential for transnational cooperation remains underutilized in terms of knowledge sharing and skills development, to provide new ideas and inspiration that strengthen rural development strategies, and even to foster solidarity between different rural areas.

Influencing Students’ Food and Beverage Preferences and Choices by Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies Rooted in Economics, Marketing, and Psychology (P16-035-19)

ObjectivesTo create environments that are conducive to healthy eating in twelve (12) unique, rural elementary schools in Louisiana by implementing evidence-based strategies rooted in economics, marketing, and psychology. MethodsProfessional Development to:•Coordinate and provide training for School Food Service (SFS) staff from 12 unique schools on the national Smarter Lunchrooms Movement (Smarter Lunchrooms)•Train SFS staff in implementing strategies to influence the food and beverage preferences and choices of students in the cafeteria•Provide follow-up through direct technical assistance•Technical Assistance to:•Deliver direct technical assistance to 12 unique schools to implement Smarter Lunchrooms strategies in the school cafeteria•Conduct a pre-assessment of each cafeteria using the Smarter Lunchrooms Scorecard (Scorecard), working with SFS staff•Work collaboratively with SFS staff to create an action plan to implement Smarter Lunchrooms strategies, based on the findings of the pre-assessment•Provide resources to implement strategies•Conduct a post-assessment of the cafeteria using the Scorecard to see change in number of strategies implemented Results•Out of a best possible score of 60, the average score on the pre-assessments from the 12 targeted schools is 29.•The results of the pre-assessments show that most schools score high in areas of lunchroom atmosphere and vegetable variety, and that most score low in areas of reimbursable meal and fruit promotion.•School cafeterias are implementing the evidence-based strategies and are observing changes in school meal participation numbers and food waste in the cafeteria.•According to 2018–2019 enrollment data from the Louisiana Department of Education, these changes are reaching a total of 4921 students. ConclusionsEvidence suggests that students’ food and beverage choices and preferences can be influenced by making no-cost or low-cost changes to the cafeteria. This presents an invaluable opportunity to reinforce healthy habits at a young age in students worldwide. Funding SourcesThis work is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Delta State Rural Development Network Grant Program (DELTA) to HEALTH ENRICHMENT NETWORK - D60RH25758.

Reaching rural: Identifying implicit social networks in community development programmes

Exogenous, endogenous, neo-endogenous, and more recently, nexogenous development have been prominent theories of rural development in Europe over the past several decades. While these theories of rural development are well known in Europe, they are less prominent in the US. This paper explores how they might be applied in a US context, through a study of the operation and network relationships of not-for-profit, community development organisations in the U.S. state of Missouri. This paper introduces a conceptual approach to classifying rural development networks as explicit and implicit networks. Results show that pillars of neo-endogenous development, namely the importance of social networks, can be identified through an easily replicable and quantitative research design. An implicit network graph is realised which shows promise for serving as a conduit for social and human capital into rural areas. It is argued that implicit networks have potential to be leveraged by rural communities in pursuit of sustainable development efforts.

A trajetória brasileira de construção de políticas públicas para a agroecologia

Este artigo analisa a construção de políticas públicas para a agroecologia no Brasil focalizando: (a) o contexto econômico, político e institucional e os processos de organização social que possibilitaram a emergência dessa agenda pública; (b) a constituição de redes de promoção da agroecologia e sua capacidade de influenciar a ação pública; (c) a incorporação do enfoque agroecológico nas políticas públicas considerando a coexistência de distintas concepções de agroecologia. Os resultados são provenientes de uma pesquisa interinstitucional que envolveu diversos pesquisadores e organizações vinculadas à Rede Políticas Públicas e Desenvolvimento Rural na América Latina (PP-AL). Os mesmos apontam que a construção de políticas a favor da agroecologia ganhou espaço a partir de 2002, quando a eleição do presidente Lula levou para dentro da estrutura do Estado atores com interface direta com movimentos sociais e sindicais. Na ampla coalizão política que se formou no novo governo e, sobretudo, no Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário (MDA), predominaram movimentos agrários com suas tradicionais pautas em torno do crédito rural e da reforma agrária. No entanto, eles passaram a conviver com um movimento agroecológico cada vez mais expressivo e organizado, o que levou à incorporação gradual de referenciais socioambientais nas políticas agrícolas diferenciadas. Além disso, esta convergência foi potencializada pela agenda da segurança alimentar e nutricional, a qual cumpriu um papel decisivo na disseminação da agroecologia como referencial de política pública.

Vidéki térségeink innovációt befogadó képessége – Egy kutatás tapasztalatai

Az MTA és a Magyar Nemzeti Vidéki Kutatóhálózat (MNVH) közötti kutatási megállapodás keretében az egyik részkutatás témája a Társadalmi és gazdasági innováció, valamint a vidéki térségeink innovációt befogadó képessége címet viselte. A kutatás célja kettős volt, egyrészt a vidéki innováció fogalmának és összetevőinek elemzése, másrészt a társadalmi és gazdasági innovációt befogadó tér és társadalom jellemzőinek feltárása egy helyzetkép bemutatásán keresztül. A tanulmányban a fogalmak tisztázását követően az innovációs esetek empirikus vizsgálatának eredményeit mutatom be, majd meghatározom a rurális innováció földrajzi, társadalmi és gazdasági térre vonatkozó tulajdonságait az interjúk tapasztalatain keresztül. A vizsgálat rámutatott arra, hogy a befogadó közeg nagymértékben függ a társadalom, a gazdaság nyitottságától és a humán tőkétől. A tanulmány a társadalmi és gazdasági innováció egymásra hatását is vizsgálja, és eseteken keresztül mutatja be, hogyan képesek erősíteni egymást és magát az innovációra való hajlamot is. Végül elemzem a rurális innováció területi specifikumait és az innovátorok tulajdonságait.

지역사회 혁신을 촉진하기 위한 농촌활성화지원센터의 역할

Rural Research Institute, KRC, Ansan, Korea1)ABSTRACTThis study identifies the necessity and importance of innovation in rural communities and highlights the role of rural revitalization support centers in facilitating the diffusion of community innovation. The study provides a literature review and employs the survey method to verify the arguments.There is an urgent need for rural communities to be distinct, attractive, and competitive in the wake of globalization. It is clear that they must recognize the need to facilitate innovation under growing trends toward trade liberalization, environment-oriented life styles, diversified consumer needs, and a knowledge-based society. The results provide support for the legitimacy of establishing rural revitalization support centers to help community leaders and local stakeholders develop their communities. More specifically, rural communities should employ R&D outcomes from diverse fields and capacity building by community members, leaders, and local governments to foster sustainable growth by overcoming limitations in spatial access and resources. The results suggest that rural revitalization support centers can be established as intermediary organizations that can be operated to facilitate community innovation in rural development. In addition, these centers should play key roles such as empowering communities, facilitating region-specific rural development policies, motivating R&D applications for rural development, encouraging rural development networks. Further, close attention should be paid to facilitate mutual learning by expanding networks and interactions between these centers.,FZ XPSET : rural revitalization, community innovation, intermediary organization

Project Management Competencies for Regional Development in Romania: Analysis from “Working with People” Model

This paper shows the skills and competences (technical, behavioural and contextual) affecting regional and rural development in Romania. The methodology used is based on the model of Working with People (WWP), which integrates elements of social learning and planningand Project management international models, which integrate competences that have an influence on regional development. WWP model is the result of experience in rural development planning from the research group GESPLAN at the Technical University of Madrid in several European contexts and emerging countries.The results show that the main skills and competences for regional development in Rumania are focused on three components: technical-entrepreneurial,social-ethical and political-contextual. Experience lessons in the first years of the Romanian National Rural Development Network (NRDN) demonstrate the right project management approach for Regional Development, exceeding the “technical” approach of the management and emphasizing the behaviour of individuals and the contexts where they work. This new way of thinking opens up new fields of research in regional development projects planning, evaluation and management. These three dimensions are necessary for effective management and implementation of projects and programs under conditions of regional development.

Engendering Social Capital: Perspectives from Rural Development Networks in Uganda

This paper examines the link between gender, social capital and rural development in Uganda. Noting that gender relations involve struggles over control of strategic resources and relationships, it highlights the complex interrelationships between power, resources, social networks and collaborations in the analysis of social capital. In so doing, the paper examines the impact of these (ongoing) processes of resistance, negotiation, social networks, collaborations and interdependency on rural development programmes in the country.

Diffusion, social structure and functioning of scientific rural networks: comparison of European and Finish examples

Abstract: A comparative analysis of two scientific rural networks was made for this study. The national level case study is the Rural Studies Network of Finland and the international case is the European Rural Development Network. Both networks started in 2002. The focus of this study is on comparing the emergence, diffusion and functioning of these two relatively new networks. The experiences and opinions of individual participants of these networks are highlighted instead of territorial aspects. The paper indicates several differences and similarities between case networks relating to the diffusion processes, social structures, functionality and effectiveness of the networks. Successful emergence of rural expert network is an innovative social networking process, which in ideal case results in to a knowledge society of experts who share some common ideas and goals by exploiting and reproducing their social capital. Keywords: Scientific rural networks, diffusion, social structure of network, Europe, Finland

Dysfunctions and Sub-optimal Behaviours of Rural Development Networks

This article describes the dynamics and impacts of local territorial networks' on the base of the articulation of some examples of varieties of well known pathologies in social systems adjusted to the peculiarities of these local networks. The potential capability of these pathologies to create profound effects in inhibiting link formation, to turn positive links into ineffective or negative ones and to enhance the non-linear system behaviour and results, deeply influences the quality of interactions among network agents. The possibility of providing a correct diagnosis of these network pathologies could provide useful contributions to alerting about actual and potential possibilities of their occurring and in preventing a system collapse caused by a deterioration in the link value and in the eventual link losses.

The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP)

Paper presented at the 9th General Conference of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI) Paris, France, 22–25 September 1999, in a session of the EADI Information Management Working Group. Describes the objectives and activities of the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), a cooperative network which aims to improve the flow of information within and between countries, especially those with less developed systems of publication and dissemination. Activities include: Advisory and Liaison Services; Programmes such as INASP-Health, the South-South Rural Development Network, Publishing Support Initiatives and Library Support Initiatives; and Publications, including the INASP Newsletter and website <http://www.oneworld.org/inasp/>. Describes the African Journals OnLine (AJOL) pilot project to promote African-published scholarly journals, and two examples of projects in Latin America: Latindex, which aims to collect information on, give access to and promote the quality of the serial scientific publications produced in Latin America and the Caribbean, Portugal and Spain; and SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library OnLine), which aims to increase the visibility and accessibility of Latin American and Caribbean scientific journals on the Internet.

Putting postmodernity into practice: endogenous development and the role of traditional cultures in the rural development of marginal regions

Post-modernity has led to a re-evaluation of tradition. This paper considers one aspect of this re-evaluation — the role of traditional cultures and their implications for a rural development process which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable in the marginal regions of Europe. The links between traditional cultures, territoriality and sustainability suggest that a culturally homogeneous world is an unattractive prospect in sustainable development terms. Actor-network theory is explored as an approach which can be used to inform policy, in particular by conceptualising how a re-valorisation of cultural resources can provide local actors with strategic capacity for endogenous development and for the harnessing of extra-local forces in a market economy. Against this background, current European Union agricultural policy directions are considered, and an alternative approach is proposed under which traditional cultures are explicitly treated as resources in the creation of rural development networks. Such networks treat territorial locality as an asset, facilitate the animation of local and regional development, and connect localities and local actors with wider national and international markets and development frameworks. The rural development path for marginal regions that emerges integrates tradition with the imperatives of the postmodern world in which economic rationality is combined with an appropriate degree of local developmental control.