Leader approach in Sardinia: from Empirical Research to Theoretical Suggestions for the Future Reform of European Policies

This paper aims to evaluate Rural Development Policies (RDP) in Sardinia, particularly the Leader approach. In the current 2007-2013 programming phase, the Sardinian RDP have already included some innovations which anticipate new Common Agriculture Policy: an agricultural supply chain approach aimed at promoting quality; the diversification of rural economies and multifunctional farming; protecting the landscape and quality of life; improvement of the attractiveness of rural areas and the need for an inclusive governance in local development processes. In Sardinia the Leader approach has a crucial position, aiming for: greater financial endowment than established in EC Regulation 1698/2005 (14% as opposed to 5%), selection criteria for Local Action Groups (LAGs) aimed at improving social inclusion, encouraging production of collective goods, supporting marginal areas and assuring transparency in processes with a better flow of information. Is there any coherence between overall rural development program objectives and policy delivery? In which way are RDP objectives implemented at a local level, both in the plans and actions of local action groups? This research project intends to answer these questions through process analysis. Three LAGs are analyzed, with in-depth case studies, with different techniques (focus groups, in-deph interviews, survey).