The book you are about to read is constituted by 2 years ofresearch in Universidade de Coimbra and Comissao de Coordenacao eDesenvolvimento Regional do Centro(CCDRC) by the great help and supportof Prof. Dr.Ana Maria Pereira Abrunhosa. The book analyzes the rural development strategy changes of theEU between 1991 and 2013 by considering LEADER programs. LEADER is a European Community Initiative for rural development whichhas been implemented in the rural areas at the local level in the leastdeveloped regions. The main concept of LEADER is to support the development strategiesthat are decided...