LOCAL ACTION GROUPS - A FORM OF PROMOTION AND MANAGEMENT OF RURAL AREAS

The article attempts to prove that the Local Action Groups (LAGs) are the form of rural area promotion and management according to the provisions contained in their internal documents. The thesis has been veriϐied by analyzing the content of statutes and local development strategies prepared by seven LAGs, which form legal associations and operate in the subregion Konin. In particular, the study analyzes portions of statutes concerning the aims and missions of associations, general and speciϐic objectives included in local development strategies. The results of the analysis allow to positively verify the thesis. First, the statutes of all LAGs underline in their objectives the need to advance sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas and the need to promote these areas. Second, the local development strategies have outlined the hierarchy of objectives and ways of their implementation what should be regarded as an expression of strategic planning, and thus an element of the local development management. In addition, it should be emphasized that the existence of the LAG’s development strategy is a testimony to efforts to improve the management of the areas where these groups are located