LEADER: Theory and Practice from Hungarian Point of View

The EU access of Eastern European former socialist countries has presented new frames of rural development in principles, key actors and terminology as well . In the spirit of the above our article aims to highlight the essential attributes of LEADER approach in Hungary. The most important results of our research can be summarized in the following major statements: firstly we may argue that a critical mass of participants is needed for a proper realization of individual action plans. Secondly it can be stated that LEADER principles create an overlapping and united system which set up a proper frame for the implementation of the programme additionally the whole method is different from the earlier achievements of the EU agricultural policy. Finally the Hungarian (and probably the Central European) state-of the art is quite unique because of local anomalies.