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Patmos in the eighteenth century: fiscal threats and exemption promises

Author(s): Michael Ursinus / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Elena Grozdanova devoted a large part of her scholarly attention to the Ottoman poll-tax, its administration and the source-value of the cizye records for the study of historical demography of the Balkan territories under Ottoman rule, a subject comprehensively explored and summarized in her monumental study entitled Balgarska narodnost prez XVII vek. Demografsko izsledvane, published in Sofia in 1989. A copy of her work, with Elena's handwritten dedication dated 21 july 1989 in possession of the author, is a sad reminder of a lost reminder of a lost friend and a colleague whose fascination with Ottoman fiscal registers the present author shares. Yet while her book investigates, in a broad sweep and (in her own words) with a "complex approach", the situation during the seventeenth century up to about 1690 when a new system of levying the cizye was devised and progressively introduced, the present contribution merely intends to throw some light, at the micro-level of one small Aegean island, on a few but significant developments in this island fiscal regime during the eighteenth century.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY: EVIDENCE FOUND AMONG VISEGRAD COUNTRIES

Author(s): Ondřej Dvouletý,Jan Mareš / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The following study is focused on the relationship between the registered business activity and unemployment rate in Visegrad countries over period of years 1998-2014. The aim of there search was to investigate whether in the periods of higher unemployment rate, individuals engage into entrepreneurial activity, no matter if they are opportunity or necessity driven entrepreneurs. Our data set consists of data collected from national statistical offices, World Bank, Eurostat and other sources. Panel regressions were employed and econometric models with dependent variable registered businesses per economically active inhabitant were estimated. Econometric models estimated with fixed effects and lagged variables confirmed positive relationship between the entrepreneurial activity and unemployment rate. The increase of unemployment rate led to increase of overall entrepreneurial activity. The positive impact on registered business activity was also found for GDP per capita, growth of share of population with tertiary education, growth of business freedom and growth of R&D expenditures. Negative relationship was confirmed for the amount of days required to set up business. Finally, the increase of registered business activity led to decrease of unemployment rate.

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Establishment of a Mutual Fund Pursuant to Article 8 of the Law on Transformation and Privetization of State-owned and Municipal Enterprices, August 1994

Author(s): Daniela Bobeva / Language(s): English

The legal framework of privatisation was established in 1992. Its basis is the Law on Transformation and Privatisation of State- Owned and Municipal Enterprises (LTPSME). As it is the tradition of the legal system in Bulgaria, the Law has a framework character, which means that its implementation requires adoption of some regulations and laws to detail some of the provisions of the Law. One of the issues which had to be legislated with follow-up legal documents is the regulation of privatisation revenues use.

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Ewolucja rynku cyfrowego Unii Europejskiej: wybrane aspekty pojęciowe i prawodawcze

Author(s): Łukasz Wróblewski / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The aim of the chapter is to present the evolution of the European Union’s digital market. Its potential and the most important problems will also be presented. The chapter is based on the analysis of the literature and the EU legal acts. The EU digital market is based on the concept of the common market and it consists in eliminating trade barriers between Member States to e-commerce. Thus, it boosts the EU’s economy and it generates substantial economic benefits for business and consumers. However, the full potential of the digital market still remains unexplored. Given that fact, the digitalmarket should be treated by the EU and its member states as a crucial priority for the next years.

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Wybrane zmiany na rynku pracy w Unii Europejskiej w latach 2013–2023

Author(s): Magdalena Knapińska / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the chapter is to present the functioning of the labour market in selected European Union’s countries. The subject of the analysis are selected problems of the functioning of this labour market, which seems to be the most interesting. Therefore, the focus was on issues such as the scope of NEET and precariat, part-time employment, robotisation, wage gap and long-termand youth unemployment. These issues were presented in the research period 2013–2023, and the countries selected for analysis are Poland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Spain, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The criterion for selecting these countries for analysis is to include representatives of the most developed and most populous EU countries, post-communist countries and countries with a worse situation on the labour market. The study used descriptive statistics methods and elements of logical analysis to study cause and effect relationships. The general conclusion from the research indicates the existence of groups of countries in which changes in the labour market are characterizsd by a similar course and dynamics, in which groups of countries can indicate specific directions for state policy on the labour market.

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Impact of Local Factors for Changes on Labor and Farm Number in Bulgaria

Author(s): Bozhidar Ivanov,Angel Sarov,Daniela Dimitrova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of local factors for changes in labor force and farm number in Bulgaria based on the last two censuses conducted in the years 2010 and 2020. The local factors are considered those conditions and prepositions apart from the national and regional causes driving the development and tendencies in the farm structure. The local level in this study is municipality territory, which is adopted as an unit for defining rural and not-rural areas. The evolution of labor worked in Bulgarian agriculture and the number of farms is steadily declining between both censuses, which is a general finding, where is interesting to identify the local differences and particularities. For the sake to analyze the local specifics, the Territorial Shift Share Analysis (TSSA) is applied. The TSSA is an analytical tool built on the basis of Shift Share Analysis (SSA), designed to determine the contribution of local determinants to the changes in the number of agricultural farms and labor force having in mind and estimating the changes driven by national and regional causes. The results show that about 72% of the observed changes ascertained as a decrease in farms in the country can be prescribed to macroeconomic, national influencing causes, about 19% has more regional roots and only about 9% of the decrease in the number of farms can be connected to local characteristics and factors. In the case of the labor force, the structure of the factor influence is similar, as around 69% of the total change in the labor force can be pertained to macroeconomic reasons, 21% can be traced to regional conditions and 10% to local circumstances. This structureis very similar and shows that local factors also contribute to the reduction in the number of farms and the labor force in the Bulgarian agriculture, which means that there is almost no local initiative for complement support of this production. The regional factors also have a certain impact, even though more limited than the macroeconomic and national environment, as it is deemed that as much as the regions differ from each other, the greater is the weight and impact of the regional level to the estimated changes.

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The Effect of Grant State Funding on Productivity on the Example of Cooperatives in the South-East Region of Bulgaria

Author(s): Darina Stoyanova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The need for state intervention in the agricultural sector is partially explained by the predominantly low incomes realized by agricultural producers. The resources available to them are not sufficient for their full functioning in the market. This leads to the cooperation of individual agricultural producers. Cooperatives are one of the most widely applicable forms of business organization in the agricultural sector. It is believed that their participation in agriculture improves the well-being of a large part of the agricultural producers, and this leads to the overall improvement of the state of the sector. For this, the present study is aimed at investigating the influence of the state on agricultural cooperatives. And more specifically, the purpose of this report is to prove the positive effect of state grant funding on productivity, using the example of agricultural cooperatives in the the South-east region of Bulgaria. In this report, the empirical research is carried out on the basis of panel data for a five-year period (2017-2021). The number of investigated agricultural cooperatives is 79. The applied model in the empirical study is the regression model with fixed effects. Based on the obtained results, this report also proves the positive effect of innovation activity. The more financial resources the agricultural cooperatives allocate for innovation, the higher productivity they realize. Investing in the purchase of fixed tangible assets is proven to have an impact on the productivity of agricultural cooperatives. Also, on the basis of the obtained results, it can be argued that the larger agricultural cooperatives invest more financial resources compared to the smaller ones, therefore their realized productivity is lower.

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The Role of Agricultural Subsidies in Shaping Young Farmers' Decision-Making in the Greek Agricultural Sector

Author(s): Zisis Mandanas,Dimitrios Petropoulos / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The Greek agricultural sector is grappling with a dynamic environment characterized by evolving policies, global market forces, and reduced protectionism. To effectively navigate these challenges, a paradigm shift toward a new development philosophy is imperative. This philosophy seeks to address structural issues, enhance technical and economic aspects, and strategically orient production towards crops that capitalize on the Mediterranean region's comparative advantages. This study explores Greek farmers' attitudes, expectations, and satisfaction levels in this evolving landscape, with a particular emphasis on assessing the impact of the Young Farmers 2021 program and demographic factors. Utilizing a questionnaire of 18 closed-ended questions, data were collected from 144 respondents, comprising 76 participants in the Young Farmers 2021 program and 68 non-participants. The survey encompassed inquiries into demographic and social variables and delved into the assessment of attitudes, expectations, and satisfaction levels. The collected data underwent rigorous analysis involving Non-Linear Principal Component Analysis and categorical regression. The examination yielded two discernible factor axes: „Challenges and Diminished Satisfaction“ and „Favorable Perceptions and Optimistic Prospects.“ Remarkably, Young Farmers 2021 program participants exhibited fewer hurdles, higher contentment, and a more sanguine outlook compared to non-participants. These disparities were statistically significant, underscoring the program's substantial influence. Furthermore, demographic attributes emerged as pivotal determinants. A higher level of educational attainment was correlated with diminished difficulties, augmented satisfaction, and more favorable perceptions and expectations. This underscores the pivotal role of educational initiatives in equipping farmers with the necessary acumen and skills to effectively surmount obstacles and cultivate optimism within the agricultural sector. In summary, this study underscores the noteworthy impact of the Young Farmers 2021 program on Greek farmers' attitudes, expectations, and contentment levels. Program involvement was associated with reduced challenges, heightened satisfaction, and a more positive outlook regarding the future of agriculture. Additionally, educational attainment surfaced as a pivotal factor in molding farmers' experiences and outlooks. These insights offer valuable guidance to policymakers and agricultural organizations, facilitating the development of targeted interventions and policies aimed at encouraging program participation and delivering educational resources.

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Cluster Analysis of Districts in Bulgaria According to the Development of the Agrarian Sector

Author(s): Tsvetana Harizanova-Metodieva,Hristina Harizanova-Bartos / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the study is to classify the districts in Bulgaria according to some indicators characterizing the development of the agrarian sector. A cluster analysis (K-means clustering) was performed using the statistical software R and the packages „factoextra“ and „cluster“. The official statistical information of the NSI for 2021 was used for the following indicators: gross value added from Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (GVA); employees under labour contract in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery; average annual wages and salaries of the employees under labour contract in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery. It was established that according to the development of the agrarian sector in 2021, the districts in Bulgaria can be classified into 4 clusters. The central point of the cluster with the most favorable values of the indicators in terms of agriculture has the following characteristics: GVA from agriculture – BGN 299 million; persons employed in agriculture – 3644 persons; average gross salary – BGN 15506. This cluster includes the districts Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Varna and Dobrich. The central point of the cluster, which ranks second in terms of realized development in the sector in 2021, can be described as follows: GVA – 278 million BGN; persons employed in the agricultural sector – 3857 persons; average annual gross salary – BGN 12032. The cluster unites the following districts: Pleven, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik and Plovdiv. The centroid of the cluster, ranked third in terms of development of the agrarian sector, is characterized by the following values of the considered indicators: GVA from agriculture – BGN 184 million; employed persons in the sector – 1789 persons; average annual salary – BGN 14206. This cluster includes the districts: Montana, Gabrovo, Razgrad, Targovishte, Shumen, Yambol, Sofia – grad and Smolyan. The central point of the cluster, ranked last in terms of realized development in the agrarian sector, has the following characteristics: GVA – BGN 183 million; employed persons – 1595 persons; average gross salary (annual) – BGN 11795. It includes the districts: Vidin, Vratsa, Lovech, Silistra, Sliven, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik, Sofia, Kardzhali and Haskovo. This is the cluster with the most unfavorable development of the agrarian sector during the considered period. Clusters unite districts, some of which are significantly distant from the central point of the cluster to which they belong. The explained variation in the clusters is 73,6%, which is relatively acceptable, but at the same time it also shows that 26,4% of the variation cannot be explained by the presented distribution of the districts by clusters. This also explains the relatively large distance between some districts and the corresponding centroid: these districts show significant differences from the central point, i.e. their classification cannot be considered successful. Such districts are Pernik, Plovdiv, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Smolyan and Shumen. In general, the first and third clusters appear to be the most homogeneous, and the second and fourth are the most heterogeneous.

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Scenarios for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Bulgaria until 2027

Author(s): Angel Sarov / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

After Bulgaria's integration into the European Union (EU) in 2007, restructuring processes in agricultural cooperatives continue. One of the main statistical categories, providing information on how cooperative structures are changing and what will be the future direction of development, is the production structure. Despite measures to support farmers' incomes under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU, the number of agricultural cooperatives is decreasing. The purpose of this article is to forecast the main trends in the development of agricultural cooperatives in Bulgaria until 2027. A linear scenario model is applied and the sensitivity of the selected indicators is identified under certain assumptions about changes in the independent variables. The selection of indicators is based on available statistical information. They are proposed with a view to finding the optimal opportunity provided by the data for their inclusion in the established econometric model and the calculation of forecasts (prospective forecasts of the change in cultivated land and the number of cooperatives). According to the model's estimate, agricultural cooperatives will continue to decline until 2027, despite expectations of an overall increase in the utilized agricultural area, arable land and permanent crops in general. When developing the realistic scenario, the experts assume that at the end of 2027, the land structure and the number of agricultural cooperatives existing until 2020 will be preserved. When constructing the pessimistic and optimistic scenario, it is noticeable that the index's range of variation is within 0.35 to 0.76 compared to the base period. The pessimistic scenario for the future of the vineyards has the highest rating. The average ratings of the three scenarios are average (moderate performance) as follows – pessimistic with 0.50, moderate – 0.46, and the highest rating is the optimistic scenario – 0.54. The forecast is to limit permanently grassed areas. With one of the highest ratings is the pessimistic scenario of the lands with vine plantations, which indicates an expectation to continue the existing trend of decreasing vines.

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The Cooperatives In Bulgaria – Past and Present

Author(s): Todorka Atanassova,Ivanka Stoycheva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In Bulgaria, the emergence of modern cooperatives as a social business model dates back to the end of the 19th century. Cooperatives develop over time a variety of specific models based on theirdifferent subject of activity. Given the wide scope of the researched topic, we limit the purpose of the scientific development to the study of the spread of cooperatives in the economic life of Bulgaria, analyzing their characteristics manifested in the current century, looking for a connection with the period of their emergence, in order to explain certain trends in their development. The methodological approach used is based on statistical groupings of a large array of official data on cooperatives registered in the Commercial Register of Bulgaria from 2005 to the current year. Selected indicators reflecting in the development of cooperatives by planning areas, economic sectors, annual revenues, etc. are established. Through the historical analysis, individual moments of the birth of the first Bulgarian cooperatives are revealed. Results: In Bulgaria, cooperatives were first born in the villages to meet the needs of the local population, and then cooperatives appeared in the cities. This process in our country is the opposite of other countries in Europe with a more developed market economy.; Due to the agrarian direction of development of the Bulgarian economy at the end of the 19th century, the first type of cooperatives built were agricultural credit cooperatives in the villages. Years after them, at the beginning of the 20th century, consumer cooperatives appeared, followed by the popular urban banks, as well as some professional cooperatives/associations.; In Bulgaria, the cooperative as a legal organizational form is widespread in almost all economic sectors of the national economy. Its role is dominant, however, in two sectors: A. „Agriculture, forestry and fisheries“ and G. „Trade, repair of cars and motorcycles“; The activity of the Bulgarian cooperatives is low-profit; In regional terms, the largest number of functioning cooperatives is in the South Central region, with a dominant location in the Plovdiv and Haskovo areas for almost all economic sectors, followed by the Southeast region, where the Stara Zagora area has a leading position. In the conditions of modern challenges and heterogeneous problems, the study of cooperatives in Bulgaria must continue and be upgraded in order to find answers to many questions related to their past and future development. Finding an answer to the problematic aspects in their development is important not only to enrich the theory, but also above all to support the cooperative practice in our country.

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Integrated Reporting – Information Base of Green Business in Serbia

Author(s): Tatjana Stevanović,Snežana Radukić,Žarko Popović / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Green businesses operate according to green management principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life of their customers, employees, the communities in which they operate, and the environment. The path to green business is part of a long-term sustainability strategy. The sustainability of economic activity is identified with respect for the principle of moral justice, which implies the equal right of every person to an appropriate degree of freedom, which does not contradict the freedom of others. Accordingly, it could be stated that the right of the current generation to use resources and the environment must not jeopardize the rights of the next generations. The primary goal of business in today's dynamic environment is to create value for owners. However, the achievement of this goal depends on the achievement of the company's secondary goals, which include creating superior value for customers and ensuring full engagement and motivation of employees, suppliers, and distributors. The connection between the company and other stakeholders is made possible by the wider public, which also has an interest in the company's operations. Therefore, modern companies are focused on creating value for all stakeholders. The interdependence of the company and all stakeholders requires the integration of reports on the financial, environmental, and social performance of the company. In this way, integrated reporting, in addition to financial reporting, also includes a specific form of reporting on sustainable development. Accordingly, the essence of integrated reporting consists in the creation and presentation of financial and non-financial performances, to see the degree of involvement of the concept of sustainable development in the company's operations. International professional organizations and institutions significantly support the process of standardization of integrated reporting, with their framework proposals, guidelines, directives, regulations, protocols, and indicators. Integrated reporting aims to bring together financial reporting on the economic performance of companies with qualitative reports on environmental performance. The basic idea of integrated reporting is to provide an information base on the effects of social and environmental performance and their economic impact on the company. This involves identifying environmental and social costs, benefits, and risks, as well as incorporating their impact on the company's economic performance. According to the above, the paper aims to analyze the disclosure of environmental information within the framework of integrated reporting in the Republic of Serbia. The analysis refers to groups of companies in Serbia, that are included in the National Register of Pollution Sources, with special reference to companies from the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fishing. The paper will also present the future legal framework in the field of agriculture in the Republic of Serbia, with the goals and activities of The European Green Deal. The bottom line is that it is necessary to support investments in sectors where the Republic of Serbia has comparative advantages (fruit, vegetable, livestock production sectors), improve business management, and provide adequate logistical support.

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Institutions and Mandates for Climate Change Adaptation in Bulgarian Rural Areas

Author(s): Yanka Kazakova-Mateva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Climate change is undeniably the leading challenge in the 21st century (IPCC 2022). Agriculture is simultaneously a major driver of climate change and is seriously affected by it (EEA, 2019). The adaptation efforts and the level of readiness to adapt to climate change vary between regions, countries and sectors (e.g. agriculture and environment). The overall goal of the research is to assess the level of readiness for climate change adaptation of the agricultural and environmental institutions in Bulgaria. The specific objective of the paper is to analyse their institutional setups and mandates for adapting to climate change in the Bulgarian rural areas. The research findings and results will support the identification of enabling conditions and key barriers to stronger institutional adaptation capacities of the main agricultural and environmental institutions in the country. The assessment is based on documentary analysis of the national climate adaptation strategy and the legal acts, regulating the institutions’ mandates and functions. The methodological approach is motivated by the conceptual model developed by Ford and King (2015) for assessing the climate adaptation readiness by governments at various scales. The focus is on three of their adaptation readiness factors – political leadership on adaptation, institutional organisation for adaptation and adaptation decision making. The results indicate a reactive rather than proactive political leadership on climate adaptation in Bulgaria. The institutional organisation for adaptation suffers serious understaffing in the Ministry of Environment and Water and in the relevance sectoral ministries. The Strategy on Climate Change and Adaptation stated the need for increased capacities and training in sectoral institutions and stakeholders in 2019. In 2023, there is only one environmental institution with an official mandate on climate change – the Climate Policy Department in the Ministry of Environment and Water. Its mandate is on policy development at the global, European and national level addressing both mitigation and adaptation needs; and it is the smallest unit in the ministry in terms of staff numbers. The other environmental institution with a mandate on climate change is the Executive Environmental Agency which monitors the greenhouse gas emissions and the related permits and registers, with no explicit mandate on climate adaptation. As regards the agriculture and rural development institutions, the Rural Development Directorate in the Ministry of Agriculture has a mandate to propose measures addressing climate change needs during the programming of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The identified needs (i.e. introduce climate adapted breeds and plant species) relate to the farming sector and not to the rural areas. Overall, the key weakness of the Bulgarian climate adaptation approach in rural areas is its reactive and ad-hoc basis. It either is driven by EU regulations and requirements or is implemented when project opportunities arise, without systemic planning and ownership of responsibility in the agriculture or environmental institutions.

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Стойности на земята: изграждане на символни граници срещу строежа на ВЕИ парк в селата Книжовник и Долно Войводино

Author(s): Rosalina Todorova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Drawing upon qualitative data from in-depth and semi-structured interviews, this article discusses the process of social actor construction. In a dynamic situation where non-arable public land – a key resources, which has historically been at the disposal of the local population – is planned for concession for the development of a photovoltaic farm, a new social network emerges. A network, consisting of the two opposing sides – the investor and the locals from the two nearby villages, and the legal land owner – the municipality. In order for this conflict to be resolved, the local villagers attempt to position themselves as a potent civic actor. One that is concise and legitimate. In order to do that, they transform social and symbolic boundaries around themselves and around the land, by employing available cultural repertoires.

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(Nie)sprawiedliwość klimatyczna w Unii Europejskiej

Author(s): Agata Kwiatkowska,Wojciech Rogowski / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

Responsibility for global warming is distributed unequally, and its effects are much more severe for the poor, who emit relatively little, than for the rich. Unfortunately, most climate policies to date have placed the greatest financial burden on the lower and middle classes, translating into a sense of injustice among citizens, as well as opposition to such policies. The following chapter discusses this problem from the perspective of the European Union member states: it describes the said opposition and aims to understand its causes. It seems important to ensure that the costs of future policies are mainly borne by the largest emitters, while less advantaged groups should receive additional support. Otherwise, there might occur a rise in inequality, a loss of trust in the government and opposition to its policies, making it impossible to effectively fight climate change.

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Fair Trade jako odpowiedź na wyzwania globalizacji

Author(s): Olga Jankowska / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The aim of this chapter is to identify how Fair Trade practices address some of the contemporary global challenges arising from the processes of globalisation. Methods include analysis of the literature, reports, data, and information from organisations such as Fairtrade International, Fairtrade Poland, the Polish Fair Trade Association, the World Fair Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the United Nations. Fair Trade focuses on achieving social, environmental, and economic goals, especially in addressing poverty. Fair Trade is a social movement enhancing social awareness about global challenges and also a market of products that meet Fair Trade criteria. It aims to improve the living conditions of marginalised communities by tackling the negative impacts of globalisation and supporting sustainable development.

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Czy zrównoważona turystyka jest możliwa? Fair Trade w branży turystycznej

Author(s): Karolina Zuzanna Skorupska / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

This chapter examines the potential of Fair Trade in the tourism industry, exploring whether sustainability is merely a marketing gimmick or a genuine pathway to responsible tourism. The aim is to understand how Fair Trade principles can positively impact local communities and the environment as well as on the tourists themselves. Methods include statistical data analysis, case studies, and literature review. Findings indicate that Fair Trade tourism promotes economic benefits for local communities, environmental conservation,and social justice. Certification processes such as ATES and Fair Trade Tourism Certification ensure transparency and credibility, building consumer trust and motivating businesses to maintain high sustainability standards. Practical examples from various tourism enterprises demonstrate the successful implementation of Fair Trade principles. Future research should focus on long-term impacts and best practices in different geographical and cultural contexts.

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Demographic Processes and their Impact on Rural Areas: The Example of the Southwest and South-Central Regions

Author(s): Julia Doitchinova,Albena Miteva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In a context of rapidly declining populations and deteriorating demographic characteristics, research on the development of implications and causes of spatial disparities is expanding to encompass more and more factors and characteristics of regions. The aim of this paper is to assess the demographic trends in the Southwest and South-Central statistical regions and their implications for rural development. The subject of the study are the territories of the two most populated regions in Bulgaria, which include diverse rural areas – mostly mountainous and semi-mountainous with natural re-sources and potential for economic diversification. They include the two largest cities with characteristics of agglomeration areas, but also the municipalities with the lowest population density. The object of the study are the demographic processes and characteristics and their impact on rural development. A complex methodological approach is applied, which uses and combines quantitative and qualitative methods and thus assesses the impact of the recorded demographic processes and changes. The study was carried out on the basis of information from the population censuses con-ducted in 2011 and 2021, current information of the National Statistical Institute and expert assessment of 57 surveyed specialists in the field of regional development, municipal administration and agrarian economy. The results are analyzed for the nine districts with rural areas in the Southwest and South-Central regions (NUTS3 level). The first part of the report presents and evaluates the changes in the number of the population, as well as some basic characteristics such as educational structure, coefficients of demographic dependence, economic activity, etc. A number of negative trends in the ongoing demo-graphic processes have been assessed, which are most pronounced in the remote and border areas of the territory. In the second part of the report, the expert assessments of the respondents, recruited through a survey conducted in the period September 2023 – April 2024, are presented. They are divided into several areas: assessment of the educational and health infrastructures; assessment of the effects of educational and age structures on the development of rural areas; the impact of migration processes in direction to cities and abroad, etc. A four-point Likert scale was used. The prevailing opinion of the experts is that the level of income, the deteriorating educational and health infrastructures are among the main reasons for the negative demographic processes. They adversely affect entrepreneurial activity, the administrative capacity of local authorities and, in general, the quality of the workforce in rural areas. At the same time, the impacts are more pronounced in remote and border sparsely populated rural areas in the districts of Kardzhali, Smolyan, Kyustendil, Pernik and Blagoevgrad.

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Farmers' Portfolio Diversification for Income Growth: A Study on the Municipalities of Dimal and Kucove

Author(s): Arlinda Hoti,Mariya Peneva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In the face of numerous economic and social challenges, rural communities in Albania, particularly in the municipalities of Dimal and Kuçovë, struggle with income instability and poverty. A key strategy to address these issues is diversifying the economic portfolio of households, which can serve to increase income and reduce vulnerability to external economic shocks. This study investigates the impact of diversifying income sources in rural areas on the economic growth of villagers. Our analysis focuses on sectors such as agriculture, livestock, rural tourism, and services, which together form the core of the rural economy. Using a mixed-method approach, the study combines theoretical frameworks on economic diversification with empirical evidence gathered through both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Quantitative data, such as income statistics and employment figures, are complemented by qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions with local farmers, business owners, and policymakers. This comprehensive approach enables us to assess how different forms of economic activity contribute to income growth and poverty alleviation in these communities. The results indicate that households with more diversified income sources, particularly those expanding into non-agricultural sectors like rural tourism and small-scale services, experience higher income growth and greater economic stability. Diversification also helps mitigate risks related to market fluctuations and climate variability, thus making families less vulnerable to poverty. However, the success of such diversification efforts heavily depends on the presence of institutional support, access to credit, training programs, and infrastructural development. Based on these findings, the study proposes several policy recommendations aimed at supporting economic development in rural areas. These include enhancing infrastructure, facilitating access to markets, and creating policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in non-agricultural sectors. Institutional support, such as training and capacity-building programs for farmers, plays a critical role in fostering successful diversification strategies. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that economic portfolio diversification significantly contributes to income growth and poverty reduction, thereby promoting sustainable development in rural areas. By addressing both the opportunities and challenges of economic diversification, this research provides a roadmap for policymakers seeking to improve rural livelihoods and enhance the resilience of these communities in the face of ongoing economic and environmental challenges.

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Фамилното и социалното предприемачество в действие – опитът на комплекса „Даунтаун“ – кв. „Ветрен“, Бургас

Author(s): Radoslava Lalcheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The article presents the initial results achieved from the functioning of the „DownTown“ complex, whose purpose is to combine two interrelated types of activities – hotel-restaurant and social-educational, intended for a special category of children and youth with Down syndrome (DS). The thesis is defended that the social enterprise „DownTown“ fills an existing niche in terms of labor-professional training and the realization of children and youth with DS in a market environment, by combining business and social activities in a way that provides social benefits for them and their families, as well as positive added value for society.

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