Goals of Elites and Local Communities in the European Union Neo-endogenous Development: Differences as the Constraints on Europeanisation?

Abstract

Financial support for the Local Action Groups (territorial partnerships for local development, LAGs) is an element of the European Union (EU) place-based policy, which seeks to strengthen social participation in local governance with simultaneous consideration of the goals set by the EU development strategies. However, the neo-endogenous development is mostly based on local goals and needs, which are not always fully in line with the objectives of the EU governing elites. This paper addresses the hypothesis that the difficulties in the EU objectives implementation arise, among other reasons, from the differences between the goals, priorities, needs and knowledge of both the local communities and the governing elites. Neo-endogenous development attempts to overcome this problem by supporting local activities which are in line with the objectives of the EU policy. This paper presents the considerations based on the literature review supported by the archival data from the questionnaire survey performed in three LAGs case studies, as well as the analysis of their Local Development Strategies.