LOCAL ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS - AN ANALYSIS OF POLICY NETWORKS IN EC-LEDA LOCAL-EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

This paper assesses the agents and networks involved in local employme nt development in thirty-three localities from the twelve European Com munity (EC) countries. The sample is that used in the EC Local Employm ent Development Action (LEDA) programme. The analysis concentrates on which activities are pursued by which agents, and how the agents work together in partnerships. It demonstrates the importance of government leadership at all levels, and the significance of co-finance and coll aboration with other agents, particularly the private sector and Chamb ers of Commerce. There is a major contrast between less and more devel oped regions. In Southern Europe central government and agency leaders hip is generally the most crucial structure of networks. In declining industrial areas in Northern Europe more complex networks usually appl y with key roles for local government, central government, non-governm ent agents and development agencies.