THE ROLE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SME SECTOR ENTITIES IN LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

Abstract

The article focuses and describes  the problem of the SME sector entities’ activity taken in the three- sector partnerships, like the Local Action Groups and the Local Fishing Groups . The research was conducted in 2015 among the target group of 76 enterprises, that cooperate with local action groups, operating in rural area of the border counties.The research data was collected by the telephone interviews ( CATI - Computer Assisted Telephone Interview). The selection of the research sample provided for spatial differentiation of the SMEs entities operating in rural border area. The aim of the article was to investigate the role and the importance of the SMEs entities , in stimulating the socio – economic activity of local partnerships in the rural, border areas of the Warmia – Mazury region.  As noted, on the list of priority actions, that should be taken by the partnership, the respondents listed among others: promotion of sub-regional and local business,  more effort in acquiring new sources of financing  the local development , implementation of programs to stimulate the development of the local entrepreneurship. The representatives of the SME sector treated partnerships primarily as an institutions that work only for the local community. Respondents did not identify with the Local Action Groups and / or the Local Fishing Group. Moreover, they also gave an opinion, that cooperation with other organizations was better than cooperation with local patnerships.