Abstract
Trying out the LEADER approach in Hungary, a study of the LAG in Baranya. The European rural development policy, first introduced in 2004, is being applied to rural areas that are undergoing a complete reconstruction, both in terms of economic activities and the form of governance and the systems of actors. At the meeting-point between policies that are defined in a top-down way and bottom-up initiatives, the micro-region has established itself as a new setting for public initiatives. The LEADER+ measure, integrated into the Agriculture and Rural Development Operational Programme (AVOP), started to be used soon after accession in 2004. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for its implementation. In drawing up a national strategy for rural development, the Ministry defined the normative framework and laid down the overall objectives defining the projects that were eligible under LEADER+. Basing itself on empirical material, the study analyses the experiences of the first local action groups in Baranya in 2004-2006 and attempts to draw lessons from them.