ABSTRACT
Both in Ireland and in Norway, changes in agricultural policy and new development problems in rural communities dependent on agriculture have led to new national strategies for rural development. These include new funds and initiatives for rural development, and for the diversification of economic activities on farms and in rural communities (Keane 1992; NESC 1994; Ó Cinneide 1995; St. meld. nr. 33, 1992-93; St. prp. nr. 8, 1992-93). These changes have created a need for the development of strategies on local level, and a need for mobilisation from the bottom. To some extent it can be said that this focus on planning processes is initiated from the top; that is, having an adequate local planning process in place is increasingly necessary in order to obtain programme funding from higher levels of government.
