Comparison of the drawdown of subsidies from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in the Romanian and Hungarian counties between 2007 and 2013

Abstract

Hungary and Romania rely on rural development support programs in order to alleviate the economic, social and environmental problems of rural areas, which would not be possible using only internal resources. It is worthwhile to analyse the results of these programs and their benefits for the recipient countries. The purpose of the study is to examine the 2007-2013 rural development programs in these two neighbouring countries, together with the application patterns relevant in this programming period. In the secondary research statistical methods are used to analyse the amount of support specific for the given regions and assess whether application activity is in line with the economic and social situation of these regions. In summary, Romania and Hungary have not exploited EU rural development resources fully. In the case of Romania, it made possible for LEADER action groups to learn and acquire experience and they have had significantly less latitude than member states with more experience with the program. The program resulted in the deepening of rural development cooperation between Romania and Hungary and the implementation of a large number of joint projects between 2007-2013.