Abstract:

The paper underlines that both the incentive and the concrete design of strategies/procedures are powerfully triggered by the environment of the program meant to reduce the gaps, i.e. the individual restricted rural structure circumstances. The transferability of ‘good practice’ is given to a partial extent only. However, this paper provides a fine indication of ‘what can be done’ and, in spite of the heterogeneity of European rural areas and the recognized types of social capital initiatives, the comparative study of the various approaches allows for the elaboration of some general recommendations to be followed when appealing in rural progress policy design based on social capital. The case study once more confirms that job effects are also based on improving skills, an aspect particularly relevant for rural areas with low educational levels.