BÉKÉS COUNTY IN THE LIGHTS OF THE LEADER PROGRAMME 2007-2013

Abstract

The LEADER rural development method has been used for more than 20 years to involve local actors in the design and delivery of strategies, decision-making and resource allocation for the development of rural areas. Recently (2019) in Hungary about more than 3 million inhabitants are affected by the LEADER programme. In Hungary during the 2007-2013 planning period LEADER local action groups (LAGs) had participated of the EAFRD Axis 4 general rural development and the Axis 3 wider range of rural development realization. After the completion of the 2007-2013 period we have final data about thes years. My database was formed by collected data from the Internet and information from LAGs  This database and personal interview processing completed the analysis. This showed me that areas where the most financial aid and the most of project implemented. I tested the spatial inequality of the LEADER money at the LAGs territorial shape.  In Békés county 3 LAGs were active during the last planning period. In the period of the 2007-2013 the LEADER programme almost covered all Hungary. So many municipalities became entitled for LEADER subsidy. In this paper 3 LAGs are inspected (from 96 nationally existing ones) situated in Békés county at the period of 2007-2013. Most of the projects was implemented by the Kertészek Földje LAG. In the county from the axis 3 the village got the most financial aid, but from the axis 4 the towns got the most of the projects that the implemented. In general the Axis 4 financial resources distribution showed inequality. In Hungary but all over the Europe the rural areas are impoverished, and they need assistance. So the bottom up LEADER programme is very important of the rural life. With this programme the rural residents can get adequate assistance to maintenance of the rural areas in good condition.