ABSTRACT
Rural-development policy is analysed by taking different contexts into consideration. Different rural areas need tailor-made policy tools. Decision-making authorities in both countries often act as the interface and mediator between LAGs and managing authorities. The closest working relationship as far as the processing of the applications is concerned was, according to most interviewees, between decision-making authorities and LAG managements. Decision-making authorities received positive criticism from German and Finnish respondents as far as their information policies are concerned. German respondents were much more critical towards managing authorities' information policies than Finnish respondents. LAGs from all over Europe created and increasingly create networks. Networking under LEADER+ took place both internationally and nationally. Most LAGs had established contacts with other LAGs within their own country or Europe-wide. Finnish and German LAGs had utilised a number of different strategies to inform the public about its activities, such as Internet platforms, information events and newsletters.
