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Food norms are embodied within all the essential components of food security; availability, access, utilization, and stability. However, the adverse economic influences of these norms are largely under–researched in developing countries. Unique in its scoop, this study thus investigates the impacts of food taboos and preferences (FTP) on food security in Ethiopia, one of the world’s food–insecure nations combined with a culture of strict food norms. On the basis of a qualitative research design with semi–structured in–depth interviews, primary data was collected from eleven key informants of pertinent multidisciplinary backgrounds, experts and decision–makers. The empirical evidence revealed that religious and secular– based FTP have put significant restrictions on the efficient utilization of the existing edible resources in the country. For example, during Orthodox Christian (OC) and Muslim fasting days, the overall food supply chain undergoes economic turbulence. Particularly, the economic challenge of OC fasting is expressed by (1) a decrease in consumption and supply of non–vegan foods, (2) the temporary closure of butcher and dairy shops, (3) an increase in the demand and price of vegan foods, and (4) an overall reduction in consumption and economic transactions. Moreover, the tradition of animal consecration at home has made many Ethiopians to rarely depend on supermarkets, groceries, and other licensed meat shops. In turn, this impedes the country’s endeavor of attracting local and foreign private investors in the general food sector. It also alienates people from access to food labels, meat quality controls, price, size, and choice advantages, all of which are essential for better, adaptive, and stable food utilization. The results discovered in this thesis enrich our understanding on the role of food norms in the economic systems. Particularly, the study sheds light on the indispensable need to consider the subject of FTP in policies and programs aiming to end food insecurity.

Agri–food sector is one of the biggest and most supported economic sectors in the EU. It is a key sector for sustainable economic development and food safety and security. The EU Common Agricultural Policy (hereinafter CAP) is its backbone – it helps farmers with income support and market measures on the one hand and, on the other hand, it ensures sustainable rural development in individual EU countries. Despite of the huge support agricultural sectors in Member States are facing serious problems – in Slovakia it is especially the low level of domestic agricultural production, low quality of food products, high unemployment rate especially among young people, ageing of population and abandonment of rural areas. Looking for solutions for these problems mentioned there is a great challenge for relevant public authorities and for the academic sector, as well. Based on these facts the initiative to submit a project proposal has arisen within the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence – which would respond on challenges in this field. The project (Centre of Excellence for European Agri-Food Chain – CEEAG 611446-EPP-1-2019-1-SK-EPPJMO-CoE) has been granted and its main focus will start from important and irreplaceable role of agriculture and food industry in national economies of (not only) Member States via ensuring their food security under conditions given by the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – one of the most supported policies in the EU.

Multifunctionality is one of the most important aspects of the sustainable development. There are essentially two approaches to the analysis of multifunctionality. One is to interpret multifunctionality as a characteristic of an economic activity. The second way of interpreting multifunctionality is in terms of multiple roles assigned to agriculture. In this view, agriculture as an activity is entrusted with fulfilling certain functions in society. Social functions are linked to employment and income generation in rural areas and hence sustaining the viability of rural communities and maintaining rural society. The study focuses on social aspect of multifunctional agriculture in Kopanice region located in western part of Slovakia near borders with Czech Republic. The region is according to OECD regional typology being considered as intermediate one approaching the category of predominantly rural region. In spite of the fact, that the share of the primary sector in economy of the region is decreasing, the agriculture still plays an important role from aspects of employment and building of social capital. The paper evaluates the influence of external and internal factors on the development of social capital in the selected region and authors will focus mainly on the impact of local stakeholders and policy measures. The interaction between relevant stakeholders as public sector, civil society, local business sector and primary sector is expected to be beneficial for development of social capital.

Innovation and small fast-growing knowledge-intensive enterprises are often described as a potential engine for development of rural economies of the post-socialistic countries, struggling with problem of depopulation, decline of agriculture, monostructural economic base, overexploitation of natural resources and many others. However, we still know too little about, how private innovation emerge in underdeveloped space or how knowledge-intensive economic activities can successfully operate in small municipalities, providing almost non business services, basic infrastructure or potential for local networking. Thus, in this regional case study, we wanted to shed a light on a phenomenon of private innovation emergence in small rural settlements, provide baseline knowledge about motivation and determining factors of development of the innovative business in the rural, local economies. Special attention was devoted to examining the relationship between family entrepreneurship, residence of entrepreneur, interest to contribute to solution of local challenges and localization of knowledge-intensive business in rural municipality.

Priame platby patria k jedným z hlavných podporných nástrojov poľnohospodárskeho sektora v EÚ, pričom predstavujú príjmovú podporu poľnohospodárov. V novom programovom období (2014- 2020) dochádza k prechodu od úplného oddelenia platieb od produkcie k tzv. zacieleniu priamych platieb. Silný dôraz sa bude klásť predovšetkým na environmentálne aspekty, ktoré sú súčasťou konceptu “ozeleneňovania”. Cieľom článku je popísať a recenzovať právnu úpravu priamych platieb na úrovni EÚ aj SR. Ďalej je zhodnotené porovnanie výšky priamych platieb v rokoch 2007-2013 a 2014-2020. V závere sú priblížené a diskutované vybrané problémy v systéme implementácie priamych platieb

The paper deals with the integrated development in rural areas realized by the LEADER approach. This approach is based on the territorial principle, where the significant role are playing local actors operating in the area, who through their actions influence it’s development. The LEADER approach is being implemented through the Axis 4 of the Rural Development Policy. The main objective of the paper is to evaluate the implementation of the LEADER approach in particular Local Action Groups in Slovakia, to identify problems with implementation and to suggest solutions for their elimination. In the paper we evaluate the internal operation of the Local Action Group - the balance of relations between members, defining areas of their mutual cooperation and participation rate in the calls from the perspective of managers of Local Action Groups as well as external relations - relations with Agricultural Paying Agency and ways of influencing the operation of Local Action Groups through legislation. We also focuses on personal views of managers on meeting the needs of the Local Action Group by the projects realized within the Axis 4 LEADER. We also pointed out problems connected with the direction of the Axis 4 in terms of the possibility of funds spending, we defined negative impacts of the legislation as well as particular activities of the Agricultural Paying Agency on Local Action Group‘s performance.

Nowadays, we live in an accelerated, complex, globalized world, where expectations are high for everyone. The child of today has to train a lot to be successful. The enlargement of the European Union and the expansion of the Schengen zone opened gates to society and economy that were not dreamed before by the countries of Central and Easter Europe. Many businesses were able to develop and grow, and they could achieve the goals they set until the end of the '90s. The situation has changed since the turn of the millennium. The global markets, the easily accessible products and services, the convenience of the World Wide Web, the growing competition, the multinational companies and foreign chains, the high consumer expectations and the requirements and standards of EU have resulted the end of many businesses. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the impact of European Union support funds on the business of family enterprises in the southern districts of the Slovak Republic. The research material was obtained from primary sources. Data were subject of deeper analysis by statistical methods. Subsequently hypotheses were formulated and verified by use quantitative methods. According to results, in a group of businesses not supported by EU programs more than half of the respondents could not develop in the last 3 years, they had negative results. It can be stated that if external support and consultancy are present in family business life, the younger generation will find the family business more dynamic, innovative and attractive and therefore they will continue to run the family business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article presents European projects with the main focus on the improving the skills and competitiveness of farmers by modern information and communication technologies and e-learning methods. Two projects - AVARES - Enhance attractiveness of renewable energy training by virtual reality and NewCAP - New European Standards in the Context of Reformed EU Common Agricultural Policy are projects under the Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation grant scheme. They try to present new way of vocational education and training in the agrosector. The main aim of the AVARES project is to develop the multimedia learning materials for vocational education and training in the field of agricultural and rural development and application of modern information and communication technologies into vocational education and training. The emphasis is put on the application of modern ICT equipment and technologies, with the main focus on the Virtual reality, 3D visual display and e - learning 2.0 methods. New programming period 2014 - 2020 will bring significant changes within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which will have a serious impact on economy especially of larger beneficiaries. The „NewCAP'' project aiming at preparation of actors in rural areas to take the proposed changes in the policy through interactive educational programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]