The Leader Approach – an Instrument for Integrated Development of Rural Communities in Albania
The Leader Approach – an Instrument for Integrated Development of Rural Communities in Albania

Author(s): Etleva Muça (Dashi), Evelina Azizaj, Lorena Totoni
Subject(s): Economy, Agriculture, Human Resources in Economy
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: LEADER approach; rural development; policy instruments; stakeholder; Alba
Summary/Abstract: LEADER approach is considered as one of the most successful and innovative programs supporting rural areas in the European Union from 1991. The overall goal of this instrument is to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of local actors toward the integrated development. But in Albania this initiative remains in the first steps caused from different gaps institutional and legal ones. Actually, in Albania we are facing with a lot of problems and challenges like: the new role if inhabitants in the rural areas, new role of the government, natural resources efficiency, cultural gaps etc. All these discrepancies need the engagement of all stakeholders(public and non-public) through the encouragement of the bottom up approach to adopt development policies in the long run. The important role of local, public, and non-public leadership, civil society organizations and local associations as well as of the organization networks regarding the animation of local actors and territories and strengthening local democracies will become more evident. This paper seeks to provide an overview of the dynamics and progress of the introduction and implementation of the LEADER approach as an instrument of rural development in Albania from the beginning to nowadays. So, this paper is focused on reviewing sev eral scientific articles, conference papers and case studies on the LEADER approach evolution in Albania through the systematic re view method. The improvement of the local decision making from public and non-public stakeholders will create the possibility for rural communities to be determinants of their development in the long term.

• Details
• Contents