1 Charles University in Prague Faculty of Science Department of Social Geography and Regional Development ACTORS AND MECHANISMS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON EXAMPLE OF THE ÚSTÍ REGION Dissertation thesis summary Petr Hlaváček Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Jiří Blažek, PhD. Ústí nad Labem 2010 2 CONTENT Introduction and theoretical framework Hypotheses and structure of the dissertation Conclusion Selected literature 3 Introduction and theoretical framework Current research of regional development sees themes focused on the institutional context of regional development in the foreground [Rutten, Boekema 2007], regional mechanisms are evaluated, key categories and groups of actos for the long-term improvement of the competitiveness of the region are sought [Breschi, Malerba 2007]. The theory is that regional development operates with various actors concepts. Traditional neo-classic approaches stemming from the individualized concept of a actor in the market environment are often completed with institutional approaches that highlight the understanding of the actor as an entity interwoven by many specific market mechanisms and social structures - production chains, subcontractor relationships and further formal and informal boundaries that define market potential. From the institutional economy point of view, the actor...

<p>The paper investigates the challenges of consolidating beneficiary participation in the planning and implementation of projects, the effects on project outcomes and the implications for community based development. It examines one of such projects in Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana by assessing the entire planning and implementation of the project, the participatory mechanisms used and the current state of the project in terms of its sustainability. The paper critically investigates a broad arena of literature relating to the evolution of the participatory concept and its relation to development planning and management. It further explores some of the critiques leveled against the concept. The paper argues further that beneficiary participation in Community Based Development Projects (CBDPs) in Ghana is a challenge because of the internal rigidities associated with the use of the concept. It explains through evidence from the analyzed data that understanding the strategies for the participatory process as well as the socio dynamics of the beneficiaries involved is important in ensuring positive project outcomes.</p>

<p>The paper investigates the challenges of consolidating beneficiary participation in the planning and implementation of projects, the effects on project outcomes and the implications for community based development. It examines one of such projects in Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana by assessing the entire planning and implementation of the project, the participatory mechanisms used and the current state of the project in terms of its sustainability. The paper critically investigates a broad arena of literature relating to the evolution of the participatory concept and its relation to development planning and management. It further explores some of the critiques leveled against the concept. The paper argues further that beneficiary participation in Community Based Development Projects (CBDPs) in Ghana is a challenge because of the internal rigidities associated with the use of the concept. It explains through evidence from the analyzed data that understanding the strategies for the participatory process as well as the socio dynamics of the beneficiaries involved is important in ensuring positive project outcomes.</p>

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / The paper investigates the challenges of consolidating beneficiary participation in the planning and implementation of projects, the effects on project outcomes and the implications for community based development. It examines one of such projects in Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana by assessing the entire planning and implementation of the project, the participatory mechanisms used and the current state of the project in terms of its sustainability. The paper critically investigates a broad arena of literature relating to the evolution of the participatory concept and its relation to development planning and management. It further explores some of the critiques leveled against the concept. The paper argues further that beneficiary participation in Community Based Development Projects (CBDPs) in Ghana is a challenge because of the internal rigidities associated with the use of the concept. It explains through evidence from the analyzed data that understanding the strategies for the participatory process as well as the socio dynamics of the beneficiaries involved is important in ensuring positive project outcomes. / South Africa

Les stratégies de développement agricole et rural destinées aux territoires longtemps marginalisés, dans les trois pays du Maghreb central (Algérie, Maroc et Tunisie), ont, peu à peu, connues une convergence notamment durant l’adoption des plans d’ajustement structurel. Ces trois pays ont alors opté, sous l’influence des organisations internationales et de la politique européenne de développement rural, pour les approches participatives puis pour l’approche territoriale. Les acteurs publics de développement local sont ainsi appelés à adopter de nouvelles approches et de nouveaux modes d’intervention dont la principale conséquence attendue est l’émergence de nouveaux acteurs civils. La construction collective de territoire devrait alors être possible. A travers le cas des acteurs de développement en charge de l’insertion économique des jeunes, cette recherche s’est attelée à démontrer que l’approche territoriale, adoptée dans ces territoires marginalisés, fait face aux représentations divergentes entre les acteurs de développement qu’ils soient publics ou civils et les jeunes, qui au-delà des conflits de génération, traduisent des ancrages territoriaux et des pratiques influencés par les représentations territoriales. Ce qui explique qu’actuellement, malgré une attention particulière, ces territoires, longtemps marginalisés, ne font pas l’objet de véritables projets de construction collective de territoire. Cette thèse met l’accent notamment sur ces représentations, leurs origines, leurs influences et les possibilités de leurs changements. / Strategies for agricultural and rural development designed for the too long excluded territories in the three central Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), have gradually converged specialy during the adption of the structural adjustment programmes. These three countries have then opted, under the influence of international organizations and the European rural development policy, for the participatory approaches and later on for the territorial approach. Public actors of local development are expected to adopt new approaches and new methods of intervention, whose main expected result, is the emergence of new civil actors. In such a case, a collective construction of territories should be possible. In the light of the case of development actors responsible of the economic integration of young people, this research has sought to prove that the territorial approach adopted in these marginalized areas, faces the divergent representations of public and private development actors and the young people which, beyond generational conflicts, reflect territorial anchors and practices influenced by territorial representations. That explains why, currently, despite particular attention, these too long excluded territories are not subject to real collective construction territory projects. This thesis focuses particularly on these representations, their origins, influences and possibilities of changes.

This thesis focuses on the issue of the development of the Šumava National Park, which is in the long-term determined by external political and social circumstances. In terms of the local development there are defined key actors whose activities and level of their cooperation affects the quality of social capital, which influences the character of horizontal and vertical social networks. An important aspect of the social-economic development of the case study area is the relationship between local municipalities and the Šumava National park management, whose activities are regulated by specific laws. Based on field survey of representatives of local development we identified key factors forming this relationship and affecting the social development of the protected area. Key words: local development, social networks, social capital, local development actors, inter- municipal cooperation, nature protection, the Šumava National Park

This thesis deals with rural development actors' social networks and individual social capital of mayors in municipalities belonging to local action groups Rozvoj Krnovska and Rýmařovsko. In my work I examine if there is any correlation between evaluation of funcionality of local action groups and degree of individual social capital of mayors in municipalities belonging to local action groups and between certain characteristics of actors' social networks. In the first part of the thesis I deal with rural areas' problems, development factors, social capital and social network in general. In the second part of the thesis I analyze results of survey, which took part in March 2017 between 34 mayors of municipalities belonging to local action group Rozvoj Krnovska and Rýmařovsko respectively. On the basis of survey results I continue with analyzing of mayors' individual social capital and types of social capital - bonding, bridging, linking. The study confirmed the key role of individual social capital (and bonding and bridging social capital) of rural municipality mayors for funcionality of local action groups. Key words: social capital - networks - development actors - rural area - mayors - local action group - MAS Rýmařovsko - MAS Rozvoj Krnovska.