Abstract:

 The Leader program was launched in 1991 with the aim of increasing the potential of rural development through the exploitation of local initiatives and competences by promoting the acquisition of knowledge on integrated local development and the dissemination of this knowledge in other rural areas. The launch of the Leader program in Romania has provided, since 2012, a series of funding opportunities for local initiatives that have not found their place in other rural programs. The establishment of Local Action Groups, the organization of teams and the absorption of funds were considered successful, so there were many projects in rural areas that were funded through this type of structure. Among the seven basic principles of the Leader program are public-private partnerships, and this work aims to analyze this principle through the work of Local Action Groups on the territory of Romania, but also their influence on the development of rural areas.