ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the process of developing Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in the Czech Republic and their changing roles and position in society. It examines existing RDAs, their legal and financial background and their activities. A new system enabled a rise of differences in society, which were positive results of the economic transformation; they were often understood as a failure of central government policy. The position of the RDAs after their establishment has changed substantially, as have the needs of the regional actors, the economic relationships and local-regional-central links during the transformation of the society. An important feature of the Czech RDAs is their legal status, which determines their operational freedom and the general orientation of their policy. In North Moravia political sponsorship is more likely from the shareholders and also their interests in RDA activities have been much higher. The RDAs in the Czech Republic provide services for increasing the number of clients and work on larger projects.
