Problem of Potential? Native Ethnic Minority Communities in Development and Spatial Policies
Problem of Potential? Native Ethnic Minority Communities in Development and Spatial Policies

Summary/Abstract: Identity plays a key role in regionalism, as a driver of the cohesion or the devotion of different territories. In the EU, and especially in Central and Eastern Europe, there are many geographical areas that do not form a territorial administrative unit yet have a strong character and identity. This is often due to the fact that these areas are inhabited by national or ethnic communities that are in a minority position in the encompassing region or country. These native ethnic communities can also be a source of regional development, as they have their own special external and internal economic networks and traditional cultural values and represent a social diversity that is a breeding ground for innovation. Our research examined regional development documents all across the EU at different levels (i.e., regional, Member State, and EU levels) in order to answer the question of whether native ethnic minority communities are reflected as development resources in development concepts. This extensive research revealed this approach in only a few exceptional cases and even in the cases of plans for ethnic minority-rich areas.

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