Elena Pisani is Assistant Professor of Principles of Economics, Project Planning and Evaluation for Local and Sustainable Development at the University of Padova, Italy.Laura Secco is Associate Professor in Forest Policy and Governance and in Environmental and Social Responsibility in Local Development Processes at the University of Padova, Italy. Giorgio Franceschetti is Emeritus Professor of Economics, Rural Planning and Development Cooperation at the University of Padova, Italy. Asimina Christoforou is Adjunct Professor of International and European Economic Studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece.

• Introduction. -Part I: Social capital and rural development in European regions: a conceptual framework.- .Part II: A methodological approach to the evaluation of the LEADER initiative.- .Part III: LEADER and social capital: a comparative analysis and discussion.- Part IV: LEADER and social capital: regional case studies.- .Part V: Conclusions and policy recommendations.

Elena Pisani is Assistant Professor of Principles of Economics, Project Planning and Evaluation for Local and Sustainable Development at the University of Padova, Italy.Laura Secco is Associate Professor in Forest Policy and Governance and in Environmental and Social Responsibility in Local Development Processes at the University of Padova, Italy. Giorgio Franceschetti is Emeritus Professor of Economics, Rural Planning and Development Cooperation at the University of Padova, Italy. Asimina Christoforou is Adjunct Professor of International and European Economic Studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece.

• Introduction. -Part I: Social capital and rural development in European regions: a conceptual framework.- .Part II: A methodological approach to the evaluation of the LEADER initiative.- .Part III: LEADER and social capital: a comparative analysis and discussion.- Part IV: LEADER and social capital: regional case studies.- .Part V: Conclusions and policy recommendations.

Elena Pisani is Assistant Professor of Principles of Economics, Project Planning and Evaluation for Local and Sustainable Development at the University of Padova, Italy.Laura Secco is Associate Professor in Forest Policy and Governance and in Environmental and Social Responsibility in Local Development Processes at the University of Padova, Italy. Giorgio Franceschetti is Emeritus Professor of Economics, Rural Planning and Development Cooperation at the University of Padova, Italy. Asimina Christoforou is Adjunct Professor of International and European Economic Studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece.

• Introduction. -Part I: Social capital and rural development in European regions: a conceptual framework.- .Part II: A methodological approach to the evaluation of the LEADER initiative.- .Part III: LEADER and social capital: a comparative analysis and discussion.- Part IV: LEADER and social capital: regional case studies.- .Part V: Conclusions and policy recommendations.