Rural Areas In Bulgaria Research Articles

E-SMART Assessment for Rural Areas (Case Study of Veliko Tarnovo Region, Bulgaria)

Abstract The research topic is motivated by the fact that rural areas in Bulgaria are lagging behind in their economic, social and territorial development compared to urban areas, despite European Union support policies for regional development and cohesion. Regardless of the fact that more and more the specialized literature investigating the development of rural areas emphasizes multifaceted factors, including environmental, social and technological aspects, there is a lack of a complex approach to analysis and assessment of their condition. Therefore, the authors set out to develop and demonstrate the application of a comprehensive E-SMART evaluation model based on a combination of 6 groups of factors with a significant impact on the socio-economic development of rural areas. The approbation of the toolkit was carried out in the seven rural municipalities in the Veliko Tarnovo region. The analysis of the results of the groups of factors – economic, social, manufacturing, agriculture, resources and technologies, as well as the complex indicator E-SMART-score, reveals the general and specific problems, as well as the competitive advantages of the rural areas included in the analysis. E-SMART model can be used as a reliable tool to increase the administrative capacity of municipalities when making strategic decisions for the development of the region.

Integration perspectives for improving regional policy in rural areas of Bulgaria

Integration perspectives for improving regional policy in rural areas of Bulgaria

CONDITION, PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE LABOR FORCE IN RURAL AREAS OF BULGARIA

The specific features in the socio-economic development of rural areas in Bulgaria are the basis of non-uniform processes and trends in the formation of local labor force contingents. Based on data from the population and housing censuses conducted in 2011 and 2021, the dynamics of the labor force in rural areas of Bulgaria, as well as its structure by age, gender and education, are analyzed in this study. The research aims to outline the regions with the most serious problems with the reproduction of the labor force through a comparative analysis of the potential of the labor force in rural areas, urban areas and the average level for the country. Emphasis is placed on the impact of changes in the age structure of the working-age population (aging) on the general level of activity, as well as the degree of demographic and economic burden on the labor force throughout the study period. The changes in the structure of the labor force in rural areas are examined in detail and the prospects for the reproduction of the labor force in the short term are outlined. Based on the conclusions, some of the problems facing the effective use of the available labor force in rural areas were analyzed and recommendations were formulated regarding the necessary and adequate changes in the demographic policy, to promote the birth rate and retain a young labor force in the local labor markets. Keywords: Labor force, aging, unemployment, demographic reproduction, rural areas JEL: J20; J21; Е24

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND INNOVATIONS FOR TRANSFORMATION OF RURAL AREAS IN BULGARIA

Nowadays, the role of the human factor in achieving economic growth, improving the quality of life and increasing the well-being of people in rural areas is significantly increasing. This is due to critical factors for lagging development or "marginalization" of rural areas, which leads to depopulation of migration, as well as loss of economic and social capital as building blocks for economic growth. At the same time, there is an upward trend for the revival and transformation of rural areas in Bulgaria thanks to social capital, expressed through growing trust and partnership, as well as the charge of collective voluntary interaction and civic energy.Social capital refers to the resources and benefits that individuals or groups in a society can access through their social networks, relationships, and interactions. It encompasses trust, cooperation and social norms that facilitate cooperation and coordination between people. In this report, the author examines the role and factors for the development of social capital in rural areas of Bulgaria by making a comparative analysis of good practices related to the revival of small settlements thanks to civic activity and social innovations. As a result of the research, the thesis is confirmed that the formation of social capital in rural areas is a long process and depends on factors and events that contribute to the development and strengthening of social networks, trust and cooperation within communities. These factors can help foster a sense of community, cooperation and shared identity among rural residents in Bulgaria, which is especially important in situations of natural disasters, hazards and challenges.In addition, the report examines the role of social capital in Bulgaria as a tool for restoring trust and local identity in rural areas after a long political and economic transition, as well as the contribution of social innovations to the implementation of community-led local development. The role of local action groups as a new kind of collective form for organizing communities in rural areas and the potential for revival based on local resources and identity is traced.

Scenarios for the Demographic Development of Rural Areas in Bulgaria – 2027

The ongoing demographic crisis in Bulgaria (permanent depopulation, constant reduction and deterioration of the age structure of the rural population, etc.) increasingly encourages policies to strengthen the social, ecological, economic, and managerial sustainability of rural areas. The aim of this study is to forecast the socio-demographic trends of rural areas in Bulgaria for 2027. Based on a developed linear scenario model, the sensitivity of selected indicators is identified under certain assumptions of changes in the independent variables. The suggested optimistic scenarios for the selected indicators have the highest rating, which means that certain favorable changes in demographic and socio-economic aspects should be expected in rural areas. One of the lowest ratings is for the pessimistic scenario of the index by place of residence, which indicates an expectation for a moderate preservation of the existing trend of population reduction. The forecast is that at the end of 2027, child mortality will decrease, due to the continuation of the tendency to decrease the average age of the mother at the birth of a child, an increase in the birth rate and fertility among women.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND RESULTS IN PERIPHERAL RURAL AREAS – STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES

The EU Rural Vision 2040 assumes that skilled, educated and motivated people will be in rural areas to make them stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous. The paper aims to look deeper in the status of the school educational system and its results in the peripheral rural areas in Bulgaria and into their perspectives to respond and benefit from the EU Rural Vision policy initiative. The results urge the educational, rural and regional development policy makers to undertake specific and targeted actions to address the school educational gap in the peripheral rural areas

An Innovative Organic Agriculture Model for Sustainable Development of Rural Areas in Bulgaria

The EU policy is aimed at raising the standard of living in rural areas and supporting the processes related to uncovering and utilising their full potential. Rural territories in Bulgaria have unexploited potential, both in the use and protection of available resources and their social economic development, as well as in the generation of additional income. Through their sustainable development, a balance between economic, social and ecological growth would be achieved and the quality of life in them would be significantly improved. The purpose of the research is related to the study of the contribution of a sustainable organic agriculture model to achieve a multiplier effect on the rural area, as well as the linkage between organic agriculture and alternative tourism. The innovative organic agriculture model is undoubtedly one of the possibilities with a significant influence to achieve greater sustainability in the development of the rural economy in a territorial scope. The strong connection and interdependence between the economic entities in agriculture and tourism sectors is fully manifested when the interests of all interested parties in the development process of the specific territory are well combined.

Depopulation of the country and rural areas of Bulgaria and development of digital and precision agriculture in them

During the last decades and years of transition, Bulgaria has seen extremely unfavorable and negative trends in its natural growth. It is entirely negative and reinforced by the rate of net migration and the widespread aging of the country's population leads to very unfavorable results for the population in the rural areas of the country. At the same time, the prerequisites for implementing precision and digital agriculture are being successfully developed in the world, Europe and Bulgaria.The purpose of the present study is to analyze the situation in the country from a demographic point of view, to determine whether the declining population in rural areas is not a prerequisite for the faster emergence of the process of digitization and precision agriculture in rural areas of Bulgaria.For the purposes of our research, scientific, statistical methods, as well as methods of induction, deduction, comparative analysis, GAP analysis were used, and its results can be successfully used and applied by all interested parties.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND MIGRATION ANALYSIS OF TYPICAL RURAL AREAS IN BULGARIA

Rural areas hold a large part of the territory of Bulgaria, and migration processes have even greater importance after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research is to review the trends in the socio-economic aspects and whether they are related to the urban-rural migration flow and vice versa. To achieve the goal are used methods such as analysis, synthesis, and systematization of information. The statistical information is based on the official statistics from the National Statistical Institute in Bulgaria and covers a period of 5 years (before and after the COVID-19 pandemic). The results and conclusions provide information on whether global processes and changes in socio-economic status could contribute to changes in migration processes in typical rural areas in Bulgaria.

Theoretical and methodological basis in the management of sustainable development of rural territories in the Republic of Bulgaria

Rural areas in Bulgaria have an untapped potential, both in the use and protection of available resources and their socio-economic development, and for generation of additional income. Their sustainable development would balance the economic, social, and environmental growth and significantly improve the rural quality of life. The aim of this study is to identify the theoretical and methodological foundations for the management of sustainable development of rural areas in Bulgaria. On the basis of the general scientific methods of induction, deduction and translation, content analysis, and critical analysis of documents and literature sources, the following are reasoned: 1) the theoretical foundations of sustainable development; 2) the strategic framework for sustainable development; 3) the problems in defining the rural territories; 4) the development of alternative tourism as a good practice for the diversification of the functional use of the territory. The article argues that the management of sustainable development is based on the collaboration between the authorities, local communities and businesses for the diversification in the functional use of the territory and the optimal utilization of available resources.

Rural Bilingual Roma Children and Theory of Mind Competencies

Two age groups of Roma children (3;6-4;6 years old n = 20 and 4;7- 5;6 n = 20) from rural areas of Bulgaria were tested for understanding the classical Theory of Mind (TOM) task (False-belief) and the correlations with two language tests (Evidentiality and Yes/No Questions) were investigated. Coordinate with that the children were tested by means of the nonverbal Knox Cub Intelligent Test. The Theory of Mind tests and the language tests were conducted in both languages – L1 Romani and Bulgarian as their second language. The children attend kindergarten where they learn Bulgarian, but at home, they speak Romani as L1. All children were tested individually in a separate room by the researcher. A Roma woman member of the community and speaker of the dialect of the children tested them in Romani. All the results were analysed using ANOVA. The results frоm the study show that in the performance of both TOM tasks, the older children understand better the tasks and a high number of them have correct answers. The children performed equally well on the tests in both languages. The differences between Romani as L1 and Bulgarian as a second language are not significant. In the performance of the language tasks Evidentiality and Yes/No Questions there is a statistically significant correlation (p < .05000). There is also a correlation between L1 Romani and Bulgarian in performing the language tasks (p < .340526). However, there is no correlation between the language tasks and the TOM tasks. There are correlations between the variables Evidentiality Task Scores and Yes/No Question Task Scores (.4064); also between Evidentiality Task Scores and Knox’s Cube Nonverbal Intelligent Test Scores (.3969); and between the Yes/No Question Task Scores and Knox’s Cube Nonverbal Intelligent Test Scores (.5073). All correlations are only for the Romani language. The conclusion from the study is that the bilingual Roma children develop the Theory of Mind competencies around the age of 4;6 years old. Their language proficiency level in Romani and Bulgarian is basically equal, however when performing intelligence task the children are much better in their mother tongue. The children understand the Theory of Mind task in both languages in equal measure.

Creating Spatial Models of Demographic Processes Using Cluster Analysis for Demographic Policy Planning in Bulgaria

Despite the demographic policy conducted by the state, demographic processes in Bulgaria have been negative for more than 30 years, with spatial differences in their manifestation and results. The main goal of our research is to find demographically stable municipalities that can be accepted as a model of demographic policy implementation to achieve positive changes in the population growth. For this purpose we investigated and identified the changes in the main demographic indicators of population for 2011 and 2019, using cluster analysis. We created spatial models of these demographic processes showing that the number of demographically sustainable municipalities is lower than that of the ones in an advanced depopulation process. Several statistical methods (tools) of specialized software - cluster analysis, Hot Spot Analysis, Spatial Autocorrelation were used. Our hypothesis that the demographic stability of a municipality is most strongly influenced by its economy was confirmed. The analysis proved that demographically stable municipalities are represented by the largest cities and economic centres of Bulgaria. A large number of them, located mainly in mountainous and/or rural areas of Bulgaria, are highly depopulated. The significant socioeconomic inequalities in Bulgaria are a major factor that stimulates internal migration to economic centres and deepens the depopulation of vast parts of the country. They are home to older people and, therefore, these municipalities record very low birth rate and high mortality.

Значение на малките стопанства в устойчивото развитие на селските райони

The study examines the role of small farms in the development of entrepreneurship and family business, which contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas in Bulgaria. The aim of the article is to outline the socio-economic importance of small farms on the sustainable development of rural areas, to reveal structural changes and to assess the impact of the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy. The strengths of small farms for rural development and their needs are highlighted. The difficulties faced by producers in starting a family business are outlined. The results of the study clearly show that small farms are of great social, economic and environmental importance for rural areas. The lack of a definition of “family farm” in the national legislation hinders the process of integration of small farms in economic terms, which in turn affects the sustainability of rural areas. A preliminary assessment of the impact of the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy on small farms has been made.

The Regional Development of the Rural Areas in Bulgaria and the Support of the European Union

Abstract This exhibition is dedicated to the regional problems of rural areas in Bulgaria. The European dimensions of the territorial development of rural areas and their role for the socio-economic development of the population are successively considered. Gradually, the focus shifts to Bulgaria, addressing the main challenges facing rural areas. The territorial problems in front of the settlements, the emerging demographic problems accompanied by internal migrations, are presented. An analysis was made about the problems with employment, the deteriorated social infrastructure, and other problems, which show the real picture of the rural areas in Bulgaria. The overall analysis reveals the needs of rural areas and the state of the population in it. Recommendations are proposed for the implementation of targeted policies for regional rural development.

Cystic Echinococcosis in Humans in Turkey

Although cystic echinococcosis (CE) is quite prevalent in Turkey, it is extremely neglected due to being usually asymptomatic for years and frequently not to be reported although it is obligatory. Most of the data on the prevalence of CE in humans in Turkey are based on hospital records, reported cases and the studies based on serological methods and they do not reflect the truth. The fact that detecting no cysts in most of the seropositive cases limits the value of researches based on serological tests. The most valuable epidemiologic data on CE are obtained by mass screening surveys with the use of portable ultrasonography (US) and it took the place of serological tests, especially in the last 20 years. Two of 190 cases older than 20 years were found to be positive for CE in a village of Konya city at the first study that US was performed in Turkey. At the first research performed on preliminary school children in Manisa Province; of the 630 students examined by US, serology and chest X-ray, 2 (0.3%) were diagnosed as CE by US. Only US was used at the second study, and hydatid cysts were observed in 3 (0.5%) of the 575 students in two villages; these data suggested that the use of US alone was more easy, fast and beneficial in the field studies. In the third research, 6093 students from 37 different schools of Manisa Province were selected as a representative sample, and 9 (0.2%) children (two previously operated) were found to be positive for CE by US. The only response to the invitation to use this model in different regions of Turkey was from Elazig Province and of the 2500 students selected, six cases (one previously operated) were detected, and the prevalence was found to be 0.2% in Elazig Province. During the same years, of the 102 cases sharing the same living space with 40 patients operated due to CE, 13 (12.7%) were radiologically diagnosed as CE in Van, while CE was diagnosed in 1 (0.5%) of the 209 cases in an area dealing with animal husbandry in Aydın. At the fourth research in Manisa, 4275 students from university were examined by US, while 2034 of these were also serologically tested by ELISA and Western Blot (WB). The efficacy of WB as a screening test in CE was investigated for the first time in the world; six new and three operated cases were detected, and the prevalence was 0.2%. During the research in the rural areas of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, of the 8618 cases living in six cities (Ankara, Aksaray, Balikesir, Bitlis, Edirne, Sanliurfa) of Turkey, 53 (0.6%) abdominal CE cases were detected by US and one of every 163 cases in Turkey was found to be infected with CE. This ratio shows that CE is one of the most important public health problems in Turkey. Control of CE is possible with "One Health" concept. An effective control program and changes in valid laws are needed in Turkey. In this review, the value of different diagnostic procedures have also been discussed.

MODELS FOR BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF BULGARIAN RURAL REGIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF CAP POST-2020

The development of rural regions and rural disparities are the main issues in the European Union regional policy. The topic continues to be an object of serious discussion among policymakers and scientist. Agriculture plays an important role in rural areas and contributes to generating employment and income. In the past decades, the CAP is reforming and changing to address the challenges in the EU rural regions. The aim of the study is based on the socio-economic analysis of the rural regions in Bulgaria to formulate opportunities for more balanced and sustainable development. The paper observes possibilities and prospects for the rural areas in Bulgaria in the context of the CAP post-2020. The study reveals that depopulation and marginalization of rural regions remain major issues in Bulgaria. Therefore, the implementation of the territorial and local model should dominate in Pillar II for the 2014-2020 programming period. These approaches could stimulate transformations and transition to sustainable regional development. In order to maximize the potential of the Pillar II funding, the national regional policy also should be reviewed.

Status and Trends in the Development of Regions and Rural Areas in Bulgaria in the XXI Century

Status and Trends in the Development of Regions and Rural Areas in Bulgaria in the XXI Century

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND INNOVATIONS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BULGARIA

The LEADER approach has an important role for strengthening and the development of local communities and for stimulating innovations and innovative practices in rural areas. The aim of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the LEADER approach as an innovative approach and on this basis to prepare general conclusions about the innovative development of rural areas in Bulgaria. The local active group (LAG) is interpreted as an innovative "coordinating" activity and it is the core of the innovation system that solves conflicts, and creates and implements local strategies for rural development. The LEADER and the Community – led local development approaches introduce innovative practices for Bulgarian conditions in order to improve local governance and facilitate innovations. The main contributions of the LEADER and the Community approaches are related to: the establishment of local active groups in different network structures of partnership; activating stakeholders, broadcasting leaders and improving coordination between them; establishing local expertise and administrative capacities; support for business organizations, local authorities and the non-governmental sector in the development and management of innovative projects. The factors that influence the success of the LEADER approach and its importance for rural development in each country differ in their administrative, socio-economic, historical and cultural contexts. Bulgarian LAGs continue to implement the Community – led local development approach (CLLDA) in the process of adapting to the specific conditions of rural areas.
 The results are part of scientific project DN 15/8 2017 Sustainable multifunctional rural areas: reconsidering agricultural models and systems with increased demands and limited resources funded by the Bulgarian research fund.

Prevalence of abdominal cystic echinococcosis in rural Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey: a cross-sectional, ultrasound-based, population study from the HERACLES project

Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic infection that is distributed worldwide and prioritised by WHO for control efforts. The burden of human cystic echinococcosis is poorly understood in most endemic regions, including eastern Europe. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of abdominal cystic echinococcosis in rural areas of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. We did a cross-sectional ultrasound-based survey that recruited volunteers from 50 villages in rural areas of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. These villages were in provinces with annual hospital incidence of cystic echinococcosis within the mid-range for the respective countries. All people who attended a session were allowed to participate if they agreed to be screened. Abdominal ultrasound screening sessions were hosted in public community structures such as community halls, primary health-care centres, schools, and mosques. Lesions were classified using an adapted WHO classification. We reported the prevalence of abdominal cystic echinococcosis adjusted by sex and age through direct standardisation, using the country's rural population as a reference. From July 1, 2014, to Aug 3, 2015, 24 693 individuals presented to screening sessions and 24 687 underwent ultrasound screening. We excluded a further six indivduals due to missing data, leaving 24 681 people in our analysis. Abdominal cystic echinococcosis was detected in 31 of 8602 people screened in Bulgaria, 35 of 7461 screened in Romania, and 53 of 8618 screened in Turkey. The age and sex adjusted prevalence of abdominal cystic echinococcosis was 0·41% (95% CI 0·29-0·58) in Bulgaria, 0·41% (0·26-0·65) in Romania, and 0·59% (0·19-1·85) in Turkey. Active cysts were found in people of all ages, including children, and in all investigated provinces. Our results provide population-based estimates of the prevalence of abdominal cystic echinococcosis. These findings should be useful to support the planning of cost-effective interventions, supporting the WHO roadmap for cystic echinococcosis control. European Union Seventh Framework Programme.

Rural Areas in Bulgaria – Investigation on some Factors for Development

Abstract The focus on the specific territories such as rural areas as systems is imperative in order to achieve each of the strategic goals of development at national and European level. The objective of current paper is a subject to the project “7I/14 Regional policy against depopulation of Bulgarian villages” which aims to bring to light opportunities and fields of interventions to reduce depopulation of Bulgarian villages and to formulate recommendations and measures at national and regional level. Present study limits its tasks to: systematization and classification of the factors for development of the rural areas, investigation the role of institutional actors and pointing out the factors that constraint the successful development and some pathways of resolving the bottlenecks. Since the objective data show significant disparities between developed and underdeveloped rural regions and specificity of development factors, a subjective empirical study (survey) among 144 respondents from two regions – underdeveloped and developed, has been conducted. The object of this paper is the discussion on just two of all 13 questions in the questionnaire: 1) the role of the institutions and organizations for the future development of rural areas and 2) the factors limiting development of rural areas. In formulating specific measures for activating the factors and engines of rural development two types of mechanisms need to be applied: 1) maintenance and expansion of the socio-economic functions of the areas and settlements with vitality and economic capacity; 2) social care for people of the depopulated villages and areas which perspective is to drop out from the administrative map of the country. The results show that the development of rural areas and settlements in Bulgaria can be catalyzed using supporting measures which become agents of transition process through deployment of the institutional regime capacity and practice specific approaches towards the different type of regions, areas and settlements.