Endogenous development initiatives and the economic development of rural regions: the case of Canadian prairie rural non-metro-adjacent regions

Policy-makers, researchers and practitioners have increasingly come to the conclusion that rural economic development cannot come about as a result of national, central or sectoral economic policies and programs alone; rural economic development can only happen if development potentials both originate, and are determined from within the region itself. A number of locally-based endogenously-led rural development initiatives have emerged as vehicles for addressing the issues and concerns of socio-economic problems facing rural regions and their communities. These locally-based rural development initiatives, in many developed countries, have been recognized as a crucial element for rural economic development resources (both human and natural resources). The present thesis, therefore, is an investigation of the role of these emerging locally-based rural development initiatives in terms of their contributions to the diversification process of rural economies as well as the livelihood outcomes of rural communities. In this study, the researcher looked at the rural restructuring that has taken place during the last twenty-years using both secondary data and fieldwork research analysis techniques. The secondary data were used to examine the structural economic changes of rural regions over time. The twenty-seven Prairie rural non-metro-adjacent regions of Canada have been selected as the case study areas that provided the context of structural economic changes analysis. Secondary data from 1981 to 2001 censuses obtained from Statistical Canada were used to analyze the structural economic changes for these twenty-seven Prairie rural regions. Primary data were used to investigate the role of endogenous development initiatives and their contributions to socio-economic development activities related to the diversification processes in the rural economies. Four of the twenty-seven Prairie rural regions were selected as case studies that provided the context of fieldwork research investigation. The fieldwork research engaged key representatives from different development organizations inside and outside the four case study areas--it looked at endogenous development initiatives, Federal/Provincial development organizations, as well as educational institutions. The researcher also analyzed a wide variety of documents (ranging from journal to newspaper articles). The data were triangulated and cross-checked. The accumulated evidence, however, presented in this thesis indicates that there are some concerns about the lack of attention that these initiatives have given to environmental issues. This concern feeds into the sustainable rural community question. But, the researcher has also presented solid evidence to support the contention that the initiatives that have been undertaken were effective in achieving and promoting the socio-economic development of rural regions. By creating job opportunities, creating more businesses, creating labour force training, education and skills improvement; by fostering creativity and entrepreneurship spirit in the rural regions; by enhancing and encouraging public participation in the development process; and by building strong networking, collaboration and partnerships among different economic development players in the rural regions; by all accounts, these locally-based development initiatives have contributed to the rural economic diversification process that has taken place in these rural regions and their communities. The investigation of locally-based development initiatives in this research study revealed that locally-based initiatives have helped rural regions to create both the social learning and capacity building processes which in turn created more sustainable effects in the rural regions and their communities. A localized place-based remit, broadly-based membership, high levels of citizen participation, inclusive decision-making processes, multi-sectoral and multi-community integrated interventions and commitments to social and economic inclusion are among the defining characteristics of locally-based endogenous development initiatives that contribute to sustainable rural communities. The experiences of locally-based development initiatives in this Thesis also concur with evidence put forward in the literature that networking, collaboration and partnerships between different development organizations, rural communities, local businesses and local governments, are among the factors that are critical in facilitating the success of locally-based development initiatives in rural regions in terms of their contribution to the socio-economic development of rural regions. Finally, the accumulated evidence provided in this study seems to suggest that a regional approach for rural economic development is re-emerging, and it has the potential to play a major role in the future realities and well-being of Canadian rural communities. This "new" rural regional approach to economic development is taking place through a combination of (a) strong, locally-based endogenous development initiatives, and (b) multi-community network-based regional collaborations and partnerships (i.e. governance). The challenge currently facing Canadian rural policy-makers is how to promote, enhance and adapt to this concept of multi-community rural development. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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