The arenas of local development in Poland: scenery and actors

Abstract

Basing on the study of two cases an analysis has been conducted of the procedures of local development within the framework of the program LEADER (4th axis of the Program for the Development of Rural Areas). Theatrical terminology has been used purposefully. The first part of the paper characterizes - basing on various types of existing sources such as local development strategies, the structural frames for development ventures, which constitute the scenery in which the action of local development is set. The second part of the paper characterizes the collective actors of development, that is local action groups formed in a purposeful way. Is it actually possible to shape social reality in accordance with some imposed framework or is this reality certain to burst and annihilate the carefully modeled framework? Are the structures formed in this way able to act, that is to manifest certain cohesion and integration necessary in collective efforts? In trying to answer these questions the author refers to the existing documents and her own investigations. The third part of the paper is devoted to the description of individual actors and their resources of human and social capital. It also characterizes the relations of individual actors with communities in which they live and for which they act and presents their views on public matters and political attitudes.