Partnerships as Associations: Input and Output Legitimacy of LEADER Partnerships in Denmark, Finland and Sweden

Abstract

Formal EU regulations prescribe that LEADER local action groups (LAGs) should be organized as partnerships consisting of representatives from the different socioeconomic sectors. Three case studies of LAGs in Denmark, Finland and Sweden from the LEADER+ period 2000–2006 indicate that LEADER partnerships have been organized in markedly different ways in the Nordic countries and that these differences have had consequences for the legitimacy of the groups. One important phenomenon is the increasing use of the associational form when organizing LAG partnerships. Through an evaluation of the input legitimacy and output legitimacy of the three LAGs, the article identifies different mixes of association and partnership and suggests combinations of the two organizational forms. It argues that without strict meta-governance, partnerships organized as associations have difficulties finding a place under the partnership umbrella.

Acknowledgements

The author is thankful to the Agriculture and Forestry Section in the Nordic Council of Ministers for funding the research upon which the article is based. The views expressed are the author's solely. Also thanks to the 3 LAG partnerships examined.

Notes

There is no systematic use of partnership organizing for rural development in Iceland and Norway. This organizing method is clearly an EU phenomenon introduced in relation to Denmark, Sweden and Finland's EU membership.

In total, Finland had almost 60 LAGs during the LEADER+ period 2000–2006. Twenty-six of these LAGs received funds from the LEADER+ programme while the others received money from other programmes.

The research for this article was carried out for the Agriculture and Forestry Section in the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2007 and consisted of a comparative analysis of a Danish, Swedish and Finnish LAG from the LEADER+ period.

Interview: Karsten Lægdsmand, LAG Vestsjælland, 14 June 2007.

Interview: Olli Helkkula, LAG Karhuseutu, 10 August 2007.

Interview: Jacob Käll, LAG Astrid Lindgrens Hembygd, 10 October 2007. Roger Gustafson, LAG Astrid Lindgrens Hembygd, 9 October 2007.