Arranging public support to unfold collaborative modes of governance in rural areas

Abstract

Raising collective agency is key to successful place-based development approaches. Existing policy arrangements have, however, been criticised, suggesting a need to effectuate more collaborative modes of governance. This paper shall contribute to a better understanding of how public support can best be arranged to raise collective agency for a more collaborative mode of governance in rural areas. The paper elaborates on findings of empirical investigations conducted within the EU FP7 project DERREG. It will be shown that differences in effectuating more collaborative modes of governance can partly be ascribed to different political dynamics, economic and demographic situations as well as the presence of a shared sense of place. To raise collective agency effectively requires a joint reconsideration and restructuring of the division of roles and tasks, including those of public administration. This can be supported by facilitating joint reflexivity among development actors and giving room for collaborative leadership and operational flexibility within policy arrangements.

Innovation platform approach and food legumes value-chain improvement in Abda and Ahmar regions, Morocco

“…In that way, IPs can provide a space where expectations and tensions related to transition processes, approaches to innovation, and the new roles and tasks for different stakeholders (including for research and researchers) can be discussed and negotiated [12]. This joint reconsideration and restructuring has been found essential for collective action and agricultural innovation [13]. To support such reflection, more documentation that is rigorous and analysis of IP processes are needed, using systematic approaches as [14] have done for participatory research.…”

An integrated perspective on rural regional learning

“…In this section, the potentials of the integrated, analytical framework on rural regional learning will be briefly illustrated with preliminary findings from the Westerkwartier case study area, as part of ongoing research (Roep et al 2011, Wellbrock et al 2011a). The Westerkwartier is a predominantly rural area in the province of Groningen in the North of The Netherlands (see figure 5).…”

“…Finally, in the Westerkwartier, as well as in other DERREG case study regions, it has been shown that grassroots development initiatives can cover a wide range of development aspects, such as nature, landscape & environment, civic & community development, SME support and culture & history. To a lesser extent, the inventoried initiatives also deal with (multifunctional) agriculture, agriculture & forestry, tourism, and education, training & employment (Wellbrock et al 2011a). All of these contribute to place-based development in the Westerkwartier and need to get involved in an integrated, place-based development vision for the region.…”

“…With regard to direct support from public administration, these range from regional development networks (such as associations, NGOs or individuals) to publicprivate partnerships (such as the Local Action Group), to public institutes (such as governmental services and public knowledge institutes) and professional services (e.g. development advisors) (Wellbrock et al 2011b). With regard to support from the knowledge support structures, interfaces were operated by public and private knowledge facilitators, private consultancy services, public institutes, NGOS and private development experts.…”

“…different kinds of subsidies and procedural support), "knowledge and skills" (for example advice, facilitation, education and research activities), "physical infrastructure" (for example meeting spaces, biosphere reserves and information centres) and "social infrastructure" (for example in the form of network incubation and cluster forming) (Wellbrock et al 2011a). …”