Abstract:

The issues of local action groups and the LEADER method have been discussed ambiguously.  On one hand, there is actually a decline of the method (e.g. Slovakia, Ireland), on the other hand, increase the importance of LEADER and LAGs can be expected in the Czech Republic (CZ). LAGs in the region of South Bohemia are an integral part of this trend, and in the period 2014 - 2020 they have the opportunity to gain considerable financial resources. Therefore, this paper focuses on further assessment of last season (2007 - 2013) with the specification of the region of South Bohemia. It assesses the importance of LAGs to rural development. On the contrary, their role in the coming years is predicted, as this programming period has just begun.