CRITICAL FACTOR OF THEMATIC VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT – THE CASE OF LITHUANIA

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibility of thematic villages development and presents the results of qualitative research aimed at determining why some thematic villages are developing while others are not. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in best practice cases examples of thematic villages in Lithuania. The study was conducted by the method of the Structured grounded theory. It was determined that, the critical success factor of thematic villages development is “weighed involvement of thematic village actors in thematic village activities”. In the absence of weighted involved actors, there is no possibilities to implement the theming and to meet the needs of consumers and the village population. Meeting the expectations of thematic village actors ensures their involvement and the sustainable development of the village in which thematic village is located. The stronger weighted involvement of thematic village actors is, the more benefits they create for sustainable village development.