Module Objectives

The basic objective of the module is to elevate the possibilities but also the obstacles encountered by local agencies and populations of specific places in Greece and Europe so as to plan and implement their own social and economic development.

Post-graduate students have the opportunity to understand problems of Local Development by means of both theoretical and practical teaching material so as to be prepared for their participation in multi-disciplinary teams elaborating Local Development Plans and Programmes.

Course Contents

The module includes the following topics: Defining Local Economic and Social Development and relationships with regional and urban development – The notion of Sustainable Development and inherent contradictions – Modern practices of Local Development and spatial division of labour in economic crisis periods – “Botom up” and “Top-down” development interventions, endogenous and exogenous development, Local Development supporting local environment protection.

The concept of Local Sustainable Development versus neo-liberalism, “Agenda 21” and the Aalborg Charter, national and European policies toward Local Development (Local Development Companies, Local Quality and Employment Conventions, cooperation networks, etc) – Local Development and natural resources – Local Self-government, NGOs and Local Governance – Informal economy, local labour markets, risks, uncertainty and resilience in Local Development – Local Development and adaptation to Climate Change.

Theories of collective social action, social enterprises, local social movements, social resistance and positive initiatives – The process of elaboration and layout of a Local Development Programme – Examples of successes and failures of LDP.

Teaching and Assessment

– Theoretical lectures
– Tutorials
– Oral and written evaluation of the tutorials (100% of the total grade)