Have a personal or library account? Click to login
LEADER approach and sustainability overview in European countries Cover

LEADER approach and sustainability overview in European countries

Open Access
|Dec 2025

References

  1. Mattas, K, Loizou, E. La PAC pour stabiliser l’emploi. EuroChoices 2017;16:23–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/1746-692x.12170.
  2. Błażejczyk-Majka, L. CAP after 2004: policy to promote development or to elimination differences between regions? non-Parametric approach based on farm efficiency in the old and new EU regions. Agris On-Line Pap Econ Inform 2022;14:31–47. [Internet] Available from: https://online.agris.cz/archive/2022/02/03.
  3. Erjavec, E, Lovec, M. Research of European union’s common agricultural policy: disciplinary boundaries and beyond. Eur Rev Agric Econ 2017;44:732–54. https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbx008.
  4. Galluzzo, N. The common agricultural policy and employment opportunities in Romanian rural areas: the role of agritourism. Bulg J Agric Sci 2017;23:14–21.
  5. Min, Q. Agri-cultural heritage: an interdisciplinary field with development prospects. J Resour Ecol. 2021;12:437–43. https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2021.04.001.
  6. Tanner, C, Swinbank, A. Prospects for reform of the common agricultural policy. Food Policy 1987;12:290–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-9192(87)90001-7.
  7. Bartolini, F, Viaggi, D. The common agricultural policy and the determinants of changes in EU farm size. Land Use Policy 2013;31:126–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.10.007.
  8. Matthews, A. The European union’s common agricultural policy and developing countries: the struggle for coherence. J Eur Integrat 2008;30:381–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/07036330802141998.
  9. Labianca, M, Valverde, FN. Depopulation and aging in rural areas in the European union: practices starting from the LEADER approach. Perspect Rural Dev 2019;2019:223–52. [Internet] Available from: https://doi.org/10.1285/i26113775n3.
  10. Angelov, G, Nikolova, M, Yordanova, E, Markov, T. Influence of LEADER on the sustainable development of rural regions of Bulgaria. Sci Pap Ser Manag Econ Eng Agric Rural Dev 2024;24.
  11. Jiménez Aliaga, R, De los Ríos-Carmenado, I, San Martín Howard, F, Calle, ES, Huamán Cristóbal, A. Integration of the principles of responsible investment in agriculture and food systems CFS-RAI from the local action groups: towards a model of sustainable rural development in Jauja, Peru. Sustain Times 2022;14:9663. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159663.
  12. Papadopoulou, E, Hasanagas, N, Harvey, D. Analysis of rural development policy networks in Greece: is LEADER really different? Land Use Policy 2011;28:663–73. [Internet] Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2010.11.005.
  13. Chatzitheodoridis, F, Michailidis, A, Tsilichristos, D, Kazaki, S. Integrated rural development programs in Greece: an empirical approach to their implementation, management, and outcomes. Aeihoros 2006;5:58–91. [Internet] Available from: www.prd.uth.gr/aeihoros.
  14. Barke, M, Newton, M. The EU LEADER initiative and endogenous rural development: the application of the programme in two rural areas of Andalusia, Southern Spain. J Rural Stud 1997;13:319–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0743-0167(97)00027-2.
  15. Esparcia Pérez, J. The LEADER programme and the rise of rural development in Spain. Sociol Rural 2000;40:200–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9523.00142.
  16. Chevalier, P, Maurel, MC. The leader programme in central Europe. A new local development policies. FOLIA Sociol 2013;44:39–53. https://doi.org/10.18778/0208-600x.44.04.
  17. Konečny, O. The leader approach across the European union: one method of rural development, many forms of implementation. Eur Countrys 2019;11:1–16. https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2019-0001.
  18. Osti, G. Leader and partnerships: the case of Italy. Sociol Rural 2000;40:172–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9523.00139.
  19. Chatzitheodoridis, F, Kontogeorgos, A, Michailidis, A. A review of the local development programmes in the Greek rural areas: implementation and problems -in Greek with English summary a review of the local development programmes in the Greek rural areas : implementation and problems. PRIME 2014;7.
  20. Lošťák, M, Hudečková, H. Preliminary impacts of the LEADER+ approach in the Czech Republic. Agric Econ 2010;56:249–65. [Internet] Available from: https://doi.org/10.17221/27/2010-AGRICECON.
  21. Thuesen, AA. Partnerships as associations: input and output legitimacy of LEADER partnerships in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Eur Plan Stud 2011;19:575–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2011.548469.
  22. Chatzichristos, G, Nagopoulos, N. Triggering social innovation through the European union LEADER program: evidence from a quantitative, comparative study. SN Soc Sci 2021;1:1–22. [Internet] Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00135-4.
  23. Servillo, L, Bruijn, MD. From LEADER to CLLD: the adoption of the new fund opportunities and of their local development options. Eur Struct Invest Funds J 2018:223–33. [Internet] Available from: https://estif.lexxion.eu/article/estif/2018/3/5.
  24. Chmieliński, P, Faccilongo, N, Fiore, M, La Sala, P. Design and implementation of the local development strategy: a case study of Polish and Italian local action groups in 2007–2013. Stud Agric Econ 2018;120:25–31. https://doi.org/10.7896/j.1726.
  25. Biczkowski, M. LEADER as a mechanism of neo-endogenous development of rural areas: the case of Poland. Misc Geogr 2020;24:232–44. https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2020-0041.
  26. Furmankiewicz, M, Janc, K, Macken-Walsh, Á. Implementation of the EU LEADER programme at member-state level: written and unwritten rules of local project selection in rural Poland. J Rural Stud. 2021;86:357–65, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.05.020.
  27. Copus, A, Dax, T, Kahila, P. Conceptual background and priorities of European rural development policy. Rep Proj Assess Impact Rural Dev Policies LEADER Stock 2008:1–73. [Internet] Available from: http://www.rudi-europe.net/uploads/media/RuDI_Deliverable_1_2.pdf.
  28. Dax, T, Strahl, W, Kirwan, J, Maye, D. The leader programme 2007–2013: enabling or disabling social innovation and neo-endogenous development? Insights from Austria and Ireland. Eur Urban Reg Stud 2016;23:56–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776413490425.
  29. Dax, T, Oedl-Wieser, T. Rural innovation activities as a means for changing development perspectives – an assessment of more than two decades of promoting LEADER initiatives across the European union. Stud Agric Econ 2016;118:30–7. https://doi.org/10.7896/j.1535.
  30. Van Zanten, BT, Verburg, PH, Espinosa, M, Gomez-Y-Paloma, S, Galimberti, G, Kantelhardt, J, et al.. European agricultural landscapes, common agricultural policy and ecosystem services: a review. Agron Sustain Dev 2014;34:309–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-013-0183-4.
  31. Recanati, F, Maughan, C, Pedrotti, M, Dembska, K, Antonelli, M. Assessing the role of CAP for more sustainable and healthier food systems in Europe: a literature review. Sci Total Environ 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.377.
  32. Líšková, ZD, Klufová, R, Rost, M. Ex-post evaluation of local action groups in leader programme (Visegrád countries). Deturope 2019;11:4–20. [Internet] Available from: https://doi.org/10.32725/det.2019.001.
  33. Thuesen, AA. Is LEADER elitist or inclusive? Composition of Danish lag boards in the 2007–2013 rural development and fisheries programmes. Sociol Rural 2010;50:31–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9523.2009.00500.x.
  34. Teilmann, KA, Thuesen, AA. Important types of LAG-Municipality interaction when collaborating on rural development: lessons from Danish LEADER LAGs. Int J Rural Manag 2014;10:21–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973005214526501.
  35. Loizou, E, Chatzitheodoridis, F, Michailidis, A, Kontogeorgos, A. Leader approach performance assessment in a Greek rural region leader approach performance assessment in a Greek rural region. In: Agri-Food and Rural Innovations for Healthier Societies. Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2014.
  36. Mustakangas, E. Relying on LEADER? A place-based policy approach to the rural development of Finnish municipalities. Fennia 2024;202:37–54. https://doi.org/10.11143/fennia.137651.
  37. Pollermann, K, Aubert, F, Berriet-Solliec, M, Laidin, C, Lépicier, D, Pham, HV, et al.. Leader as a European policy for rural development in a multilevel governance framework: a comparison of the implementation in France, Germany and Italy. Eur Countrys 2020;12:156–78. https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2020-0009.
  38. Maroto-Martos, JC, Voth, A, Pinos-Navarrete, A. The importance of tourism in rural development in Spain and Germany. New Mexico: Springer Geography; 2020:181–205 pp.
  39. Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska, A. The role of local action groups in rural development in Poland based on a selected example. Ann Polish Assoc Agric Agribus Econ 2019;XXI:579–88. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.5355.
  40. Pollermann, K, Raue, P, Schnaut, G. Rural development experiences in Germany: opportunities and obstacles in fostering smart places through leader. Stud Agric Econ 2013;115:111–7. https://doi.org/10.7896/j.1228.
  41. Rios, IDL, Díaz-Puente, JM, Cadena-Iñiguez, J. The initiative leader as a model for rural development: implementation to some territories of México. Agrociencia 2011;45:609–24. [Internet] Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80051811888&partnerID=40&md5=440ef4bf777c690de0d325ab2dc16876.
  42. Olar, A, Jitea, MI. Enabling factors for better multiplier effects of the leader programme: lessons from Romania. Sustain Times 2021;13:5184. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095184.
  43. Johansson, J, Holmquist, M. LEADER and rural development policy – what’s the problem represented to be? J Rural Stud 2024;108:103287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103287.
  44. Navarro, F, Cejudo, E, Maroto, J. Participation of disadvantaged groups and governance in the LEADER and PRODER programmes in Andalucía, Spain. Stud Agric Econ. 2016;118:47–54. https://doi.org/10.7896/j.1532.
  45. Arabatzis, G, Aggelopoulos, S, Tsiantikoudis, S. Rural development and LEADER + in Greece: evaluation of local action groups. J Food Agric Environ 2010;8:302–7.
  46. Papadopoulou, CI, Loizou, E, Melfou, K, Chatzitheodoridis, F. The knowledge based agricultural bioeconomy: a bibliometric network analysis. Energies 2021;14:6823. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206823.
  47. Navarro, F, Labianca, M, Cejudo, E, De Rubertis, S, Salento, A, Maroto, JC, et al.. Interpretations of innovation in rural development. the cases of leader projects in Lecce (Italy) and Granada (Spain) in 2007–2013 period. Eur Countrys 2018;10:107–26. https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2018-0007.
  48. Alonso, GC, Masot, AN. Rural space governance in Extremadura (SW Spain). analysis of the leader approach. Eur Countrys2020;12:448–68. https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2020-0024.
  49. Mrnjavac, Ž, Perić, I. Influence of municipalities on LAG’s effectiveness in attracting project subsidies in Croatia. Lex Localis 2020;18:35–52. https://doi.org/10.4335/18.1.35-52(2020).
  50. Chevalier, P, MačIulyté, J, Razafimahefa, L, Dedeire, M. The leader programme as a model of institutional transfer: learning from its local implementation in France and Lithuania. Eur Countrys 2017;9:317–41.
  51. Biagini, L, Antonioli, F, Severini, S. The role of the common agricultural policy in enhancing farm income: a dynamic panel analysis accounting for farm size in Italy. J Agric Econ 2020;71:652–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12383.
  52. Székely, V. Changes in commuting patterns in the territories covered by LEADER local action groups: slovakia, 2001 and 2011. Stud Agric Econ 2017;119:18–25. https://doi.org/10.7896/j.1072.
  53. Chmieliński, P. On community involevement in rural development - a case of leader programme in Poland. Econ Soc 2011;4:120–8. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789x.2011/4-2/11.
Language: English
Submitted on: Jul 8, 2025
Accepted on: Sep 23, 2025
Published on: Dec 9, 2025
Published by: Sciendo
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

© 2025 Maria Paschalidou, Fotios Chatzitheodoridis, Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Aikaterini Malliachova, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.