Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Rural development and protected areas are tightly linked phenomena world wide. However, most of literature sources address the relationship in low income countries. The objective of the study is to explore Country Administrative Board (officials directly working with nature conservation) , The Federation of Swedish Farmers and The Swedish Village Action Movement perceptions regarding the relationship between rural development and protected areas in Sweden.

The study approaches the research question by literature and policies desk study, and conducting questionnaires (105 in total). It reveals differences in perception between informants of the studied organisations. Informants from the Country Administrative Board are generally more positive about the role of protected areas in rural development, whereas informants from The Federation of Swedish Farmers and The Swedish Village Action Movement tended to be more suspicious about the role of protected areas in rural development. The study further links and attempt to connect the results in relation to the rural development concept, the history of protected areas, and the informants organizational belongingness.