LOCAL ACTIONS GROUPS: SALIPAZARI LOCAL ACTION GROUP ASSOCIATION EXAMPLE

Abstract

Local Action Groups (LAGs) are organizational structures based on a multi-actor, participatory and sustainable approach to local development. These groups are formed through the voluntary collaboration of public institutions, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations operating or residing within a specific geographical region. Their primary objective is to plan, implement, and monitor projects that support the social, economic, environmental, and cultural development of their respective regions.
LAGs are typically established as associations (NGO status) and operate under the principles of the LEADER approach (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale), which is a part of the European Union’s Rural Development Policy. The LEADER methodology promotes a “bottom-up” model of development, enabling local stakeholders to participate directly in decision-making processes. This framework allows LAGs to produce innovative, sustainable, and locally tailored solutions to development challenges while fostering cooperation and knowledge-sharing among diverse actors.
In Turkey, a total of 48 Local Action Group (LAG) Associations have been established across 12 provinces. These associations are community-led development organizations formed in line with the European Union’s rural development policies, aiming to promote bottom-up participation and cooperation among local stakeholders. Among the 48 LAGs, 8 have been established in the province of Samsun, highlighting its leading role in the implementation of rural development initiatives.
This study focuses on the activities of the Salıpazarı Local Action Group Association (SALYEGDER), one of the Local Action Group (LAG) associations established in the province of Samsun. The primary aim of the research is to conduct a multidimensional analysis of the projects implemented by SALYEGDER, its organizational structure, and its contribution to local development processes. Within this framework, the study evaluates how LAGs promote community participation in decision-making processes, their role in building social capital in rural areas, and the extent to which they contribute to regional development goals. The activities carried out in Salıpazarı serve as a case through which the local implications and implementation processes of the LEADER approach are critically examined.