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This article aims to highlight the importance of funding through the M19 LEADER measure on eligible territories from a qualitative perspective through the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods: questionnaire and interview, designed to confirm or deny the importance of LEADER funding on rural development of the LAG territory at the level of the Romanian regions. The analysis was realised in period between 31.10.2020 - 31.05.2021. The data collected come in support of a deeper understanding of the LEADER approach and the way in which it acts in the territory, implicitly of the identification and remedy of deficiencies. Following the analysis, based on a series of questions sent to the representatives of the local action groups, questions related to territorial, financial and social issues were found that: over 70% of LAGs face an aging population and lack of jobs work, over 70% of the eligible territories being inhabited by the population aged between 40 and 50, territories where agriculture is the main income-generating resource (100% of respondents). All respondents consider that LEADER financing is very important but also insufficient for the needs of the territory (over 85% of respondents). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to create a typology of the Romanian rural area according to the socio-economic modernization-development perspectives. The starting point consisted in the development of three indices to measure the analysed processes, namely the rural modernization index, the rural development index and the rural household modernization index. To create the typology, the author proposed a method that takes into consideration both the value of indices and the trend of these indices in the period 2007-2018. From the resulting typology, a general trend was noticed, namely that the Romanian rural area has a different behaviour depending on the proximity of large urban centers (see the counties Timiș, Ilfov, Cluj, Sibiu, Constanța, Brașov), the rural households in the proximity of cities have easier access to utilities and more attractive jobs, the population is younger and more educated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over time, the LEADER Program has brought a number of positive changes to rural areas and has played an innovative role in addressing many of the problems facing the rural environment. Since its launch in 1991, the LEADER axis has sought to provide rural communities in the European Union with an effective method of involving local partners in guiding and managing the future development of the area covered by LAGs. The main aim of the paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of Local Action Groups at regional level for the sustainable development of rural areas through its actors: local communities, existing economic agents in the LAG, local public administrations or constituent members of the LAG, public and private. A series of methods were used such as: comparative analysis, both in terms of quantity and quality, as well as the method of the questionnaire applied to a number of 340 inhabitants in the LAG area "Vedea - Găvanu - Burdea". The implementation of the questionnaires resulted in a series of conclusions and recommendations aimed at increasing the income of the inhabitants of the LAG territory, as well as improving the quality of life, stabilizing it, as well as ways to make better use of local agricultural products. In the opinion of local actors, the LAG must continue to maintain the current line of evolution and capitalize on the rural, natural and ethno-cultural potential of the area, by developing and increasing added value, by innovative approach to tourism, agriculture, food industry and diversification. rural economies. Public administrations in the region covered by the LAG are of the opinion that the directions in which investments should be directed are public utility infrastructure. Another recommendation is to simplify bureaucracy, for most respondents the main obstacle to accessing European funds is bureaucracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper was to establish a causal relationship between the socio-economic modernization level and the development level of the Romanian rural area, as main point of modernization of the rural household. The starting point in establishing this causal relationship was the development of a theoretical model for the assessment of the modernization and socio-economic development level of the rural area in terms of rural household modernization potential. The output of these models was 3 composite indices that were analysed both as independent indices, in dynamics, and in relation to the other indices, as well as to the dimensions and indicators related to each index. The main hypothesis of the research was the existence of an intrinsic link between the modernization degree and the socio-economic development of the rural area, thus the integration of modernization elements entailing development and implicitly, at rural household level, the continuous improvement of the quality of life and welfare of the rural population. The rural household was considered an important component of the Romanian rural space, being the driving engine that makes all the subsystems of the rural space work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the role of Local Action Groups in rural Romania in the period between 2011 and 2021. It is based on data available at the MADR level and the following indicators were used: no. of LAGs, area and population covered by LAGs, types of investments, number and value of investments. During the examined period there was an increase in the number of LAGs, investments made locally from non-reimbursable European funds which led to improved living conditions in rural areas through quality infrastructure and basic services and job creation LAGs participate in developing and strengthening the role of local governance through the involvement of public authorities, the private sector and civil society in community-based decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the financial hardship and material deprivation tended to register decreasing levels among Europeans in the last period, there are still some population segments that did not register the same amelioration trend. In this regard, the rural area is still commonly disadvantaged comparatively to the urban one. Particularizing, in Romania, the poverty indicators show a critical situation and also considerable disparity between rural and urban levels of poverty is recorded. Taking into consideration this national context, using data from Eurostat and GCI, registered in the period 2009-2017, path analysis is applied in order to identify the direct and indirect effects of some of the main socio-economic factors on Romanian severe material deprivation. Our empirical findings highlight that the explanatory variables regarding (1) citizens’ particularities in terms of education, employment and gender and (2) characteristics of national economic environment such as government efficiency, government expenditure on social protection and economic growth registered significant and different types of effects on rural and urban Romanian poverty. The fact that the direct and indirect causal relationships were different in terms of rural and urban spaces indicates that the poverty policies should concentrate on the distinction between rural and urban specificities and try to particularly answer to each of them. In this way, our study intends to respond to a real need for research in this field, being also possible to represent a support for the policies addressing poverty in the Romanian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is substantiated that mobilization of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) against the background of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic provides for a radical rethinking of the priorities of agri-food policy. This concerns the improvement of the social development policy of the countryside and the solution to the problems of sustainable development of rural areas. The specificity of the concept of sustainable development of rural areas as interconnected into a single system of economic, social, and environmental goals and objectives is revealed. These include sustainable growth of the rural economy, diversification of its structure, the achievement of food security; increasing employment, the level and quality of life of the rural population, reducing interregional and intraregional differentiation, eliminating poverty, bringing the countryside closer to urban living standards; rationalization of the use of natural potential and preservation of the natural environment. Solving the problems of social development of the countryside contributes to the transition to an inclusive development model. The author's methodology made it possible to substantiate the criteria and indicators that characterize the level of social inclusion. By this approach, an empirical research base was formed and a comprehensive assessment of the social development of the village was given in the context of the following aspects: poverty of the population, the risk of poverty and poverty fields depending on the place of residence of the population; urban and rural unemployment; resources and final consumption expenditures, on average, per household member; physical and economic accessibility of basic food products for the urban and rural population. Measures have been formulated to facilitate the transition of the agri-food system to an inclusive development model and overcome negative trends in the postpandemic economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is dedicated to the problems of rural areas in Bulgaria. The article focuses on municipalities that need to implement regional policies in rural areas. Reducing the rural population is a serious challenge to the potential of the rural labor force. Labor supply restrictions apply to municipalities with an unfavorable demographic structure and a growing population over working age. Social problems are related to the aging population and vulnerable social groups. In order to identify groups of problems close to other countries in Southeast Europe, we need to take a closer look at rural development in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural development, sustainable development and sustainability are nowadays often mentioned in scientific publications, as well as in political discussions and the media. The concept of sustainability includes three sets of goals: economic, environmental and social. In this paper emphasis is put on the selection of the most appropriate social indicators for measuring sustainable rural development at NUTS 3 level. Objectives of the paper were: (1) to identify the most appropriate social indicators for measuring sustainable rural development already used or proposed in literature, (2) to choose the five most appropriate indicators according to experts' assessment. The analysis of existing research outlined and explained 18 social indicators. After the first phase of selection, an additional selection of indicators by expert evaluation was carried out. Based on the expert evaluation, five most relevant social indicators were identified, namely according to the average grade: age structure (4.70), availability of educational institutions (4.45), educational structure (4.34), availability of health institutions (4.32) and population growth between two censuses (4.32). Looking at separate assessments of each of the expert groups, it is evident that their selection of the five most relevant indicators coincides in three indicators: age structure, availability of educational institutions and educational structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the main features of agriculture and rural development in the Central Region. The Central Region consisting of 6 counties covers 14.3% of the country's territory. Mure? and Covasna counties have the largest share of rural space (over 87%). The agricultural area of the region (1,900.4 thousand ha) represents 13% of the existing area at national level. It has the following categories of use: arable 40%, pastures 34%, hayfields 25.3%, vineyards 0.5%, orchards 0.5%. In the Central Region there are approx. 394 thousand agricultural holdings. In 2018, the 56 thousand sheep farms in the region, owned 22.76% of the existing sheep farms nationwide. The 72 thousand cattle farms in the region owned 17.48% of the national cattle herd. Agriculture in the Central Region has an important and diversified natural potential. The share of the rural population in the region is 42.4%. The share of the population employed in agriculture and forestry in 2018 was 16.8% of the regional labor force. As at national level, the population employed in agriculture is aging and has a low level of education (96.4% of people in agriculture have only practical experience). Mure? County has the largest share in the value of regional agricultural production (24.2%). In 2019, four food products made in the Central Region out of the seven existing at national level were registered on the European quality schemes (PGI and PDO). The agri-food sector in the region is boosted by professional training courses for farmers, IT platforms that connect small farmers and buyers, the organization of fairs, exhibitions, culinary and agricultural festivals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study of non-traditional agricultural land use, as the basis for rural development due to increased capitalization and socialization of land use. As a result, we analyzed the efficiency of agricultural land use in selected European countries and in Ukraine. A comparison of the added value created per area unit with the value of agricultural land is also presented, which noted that the capitalization and socialization of agricultural land use depends on the proportion of high-margin crops in the structure of crops production area. The authors present indicators of the effectiveness of the use of agricultural lands of Ukraine by agricultural enterprises, farms and households in monetary value. This allowed us to state that it is important for farmers and households to cultivate high margin crops, including niche ones. Since such crops, as a rule, are quite resource-intensive in cultivation and their production for large-scale farms is costly, and for small farms it is profitable, because it not only increases the profitability of land use, but also its value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LEADER approach/ Community Led - Local Development (CLLD) is one of the most effective tools for rural development at EU level. It enables empowerment of the population, involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process. The built trust and the growing role of the Local Action Groups (LAGs), through which the approach is applied, are a prerequisite for LEADER/ CLLD to become a key instrument for tackling the challenges facing the rural areas of Bulgaria. The aim of the study is, based on the analysis of the main factors influencing the results of the implementation of integrated strategies, to outline the opportunities for increasing the number of supported initiatives, as well as to formulate recommendations in the respective field. The study encompasses 34 LAGs operating on the territory of Southern Bulgaria. The results of the regression analysis reveal the following main factors determining the number of supported initiatives under the local development strategies: the experience of the LAGs, the type of strategy (single-fund or multi-fund support) and the ongoing communication with relevant government agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of rural territories development as a socio-economic-ecological system has been determined. It has been also proved that the study of rural development is of crucial importance because of the necessity to solve some socio-economic problems such as preservation of local customs, historical and ethnic characteristics. We have identified the decentralization as one of the vital components of democratic reformation, contributing to the transparency of the authorities' activity. The impact of decentralization processes on the indicators of sustainable rural development in Ukraine has been revealed. It manifests itself in the growth of employment and income of rural population, provision of medical and educational institutions, enhancements of road transport infrastructure, creation of conditions for business development and further diversification of economic activity in rural areas, environmental protection. The analysis of sustainable development of rural territories in the conditions of decentralization based on the application of the proposed methodology has been done. Integral indices of sustainable development of rural territories of Ukraine have been calculated using the determination of partial indices of social sphere development, economic and ecological situation. The results of modelling rural territories sustainable development in the context of decentralization can be used to make management decisions for the development and implementation of economic instruments with the aim of achieving such strategic prospects as reformation of local self-governments and territorial organization of central government in Ukraine. To analyze the impact of decentralization on achieving sustainable rural development prospects, the benefits and risks of this process have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural development in various countries in Asia has experienced tremendous change and transformation. Countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have experienced growing interest in utilising information and communication technologies (ICTs) for rural development. ICT and society could create a new pathway for the rural area and its society should progress in future. Evidently, technologies will continue to evolve and used to improve productivity. However, in the long run, this might jeopardise any effort for creating and sustaining employment/job and wealth creations for locals and for rural economic sectors. This is because current jobs including in rural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) could be replaced by technologies, hence might reduce industry dependency on local workforce. There are cases whereby the ICTs and other emerging technologies which have been introduced in rural areas, as shown in "creative kampung" communities, have not deter locals from being employed in rural economic sectors (and SMEs) instead sustaining jobs and improve SMEs operations and productivities. Creative kampung emphasises on sustaining economic activities based on human creativity and/or creative industry that cannot be replaced by machines or any other means of modern technologies. However, it is a norm for local entrepreneurs to incorporate some elements of technologies to improve productivity and quality of products and services, while maintaining the authenticity of their products. The paper presents some key findings based on comparative study of two creative kampungs in Sayong, Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia and Gemawang Village at Semarang District, Central Java Indonesia. It is expected that the findings might have values particularly in improving the understanding on the concept of creative kampung from different localities, internal and external key drivers for transformation of creative kampung and entrepreneurship development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studied the impact of agriculture on rural development. The emphasis is on the changes in the development of agriculture in the conditions of Bulgaria's membership in the EU and on their impacts on the economic, social and environmental indicators for the status and development of the rural areas. The object of analysis is the South Central Planning Region of Bulgaria (BG42) at the NUTS-2 level. This study employed mixed quantitative and qualitative research design. The quantitative part presupposes the presentation and analysis of statistics on agriculture and rural development at the level of planning region, district and rural area (municipality) in the period of EU membership (2007-2017). Qualitative methods include the use of the experts evaluation method and in-depth interviews with 25 specialists from the regional office "Agriculture" and the regional office of the National Agricultural Advisory System. The conclusions of the analysis reveal that the model of agriculture in the study area is close to the characteristics of the Southern model of agriculture in Europe. Evidence for the more favorable effects of the emerging model of agriculture on rural development compared to other regions in the country (especially the three northern ones) are the slower migration processes, lower unemployment rates in some municipalities and etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural guide project (RGP) is the first systemic and comprehensive national effort to spatially organize the villages. It is a major tool for the management of rural development. In this respect, the present study aimed to explore the impact of RGPs on the improvement of rural settlements in Southern Khaveh District of Delfan County, Lorestan Province, Iran. So, we applied comparative-casual methodology so that the villages where an RGP has been implemented were compared to those where no RGP has been implemented in terms of rural house indicators. The main data collection tool was a self-designed questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of academic professors in Guilan Province and the experts of Housing Foundation of Lorestan Province. The reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by Cronbach's alpha at 0.84. Data were analysed in SPSS19 Software Package by descriptive statistics (tables of frequency distribution, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney U test). The results shows that RGP had a significant impact on the variables of strengthening, material quality, allocation of parking space, building beautifying, bathroom construction, inclusion of commercial space in the building, energy conservation, construction of houses with multiple floors, availability of civil engineers and experts, partitioning of building internal space, building ventilation, hygienic disposal of sewage, and internal space exposure to light. But, its effect was statistically insignificant on the use of novel material, the use of local material, and availability of hygienic drinking water. Also, it was revealed that in villages with an RGP, the highest satisfaction was found to be with the variables of village development, the transformation in village construction status, and the villagers' comfort and welfare. Also, the least satisfaction was with the variables of employment improvement and more investment on village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]