THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ACTION GROUPS IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT: THE EXAMPLE OF BASIN LOCAL ACTION GROUP

Abstract

Globalization has not only transformed people's lives but also altered countries' governance structures and perspectives on issues. Countries have abandoned reactive approaches to development and instead developed proactive approaches. They have recognized that development cannot be achieved through centrally-delivered decisions and that local actors must be included in decision-making processes. Integrating local decision-making processes and giving them a greater role have been adopted through practices and approaches such as the EU, UNDP, and LEADER. Indeed, this approach has yielded positive results and led to the emergence of good practice examples in many places. Turkey has adopted the LEADER approach and taken steps towards local development through IPARD. In this regard, Local Action Groups have been implemented. As in EU countries, good practice examples have emerged in Turkey. This study examines the role of the activities of the Local Action Group in Samsun Havza in local development, and the findings are interpreted.