Regional Development Agencies in Portugal: Recent development and future challenges

This article considers the result of a recently completed programme to crea te Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) within Portugal. The first part of the article examines the forces leading to the creation of RDAs in Portugal and the particularities of the process employed. The second part turns to consider the considerable challenges that these fledgling RDAs now face if they are to develop a strategic role promoting regional economic developmen t within Portugal.