{"title":"Social Work in Social Farming in the Concept of Empowerment","authors":"Eliška Hudcová","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0025","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This article aims to present social farming from the perspective of social work; it, therefore, explores the added value of agriculture. More specifically, it adapts the concept of empowerment to the conditions of working with participants with disabilities on social farms. In general, the concept of empowerment is described as the acquisition and use of skills to meet one's own needs and gain control over one's own life. Further, the empowerment of groups and communities is understood as gaining rights and straightening the system. It is a systematic method of work used with people with health or social disadvantage, fragile groups and communities. Using participant observation protocols from the stays on different social farms gathered within the project led in four European countries, the form, benefits, and limits of the concept of empowerment are investigated in this alternative agricultural environment. The paper summarises that the process of empowerment on social farms takes several forms at the individual level. Still, when it comes to the acquisition of power by a group or community in conjunction with participation, the use of the concept is limited.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42538573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mixing Up Apples and Pears Can Work – Case Study of an Innovative Model of Social Enterprise From Slovakia","authors":"M. Chreneková, Monika Bumbalová, J. Jarábková","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0024","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Social enterprises have the potential to address diverse issues, even when they fall off the radar of formal institutions e.g., by establishing partnerships that are new locally and nationally. The analysis offers a conceptual description of a model of social enterprise established by a regional self-government authority, that blends dual education and social economy and serves as an innovative agent of change. Case research was the approach used. The research revealed that the motivation behind the enterprise was social integration, increasing attractiveness of agriculture for young people and regional self-sufficiency. The partnership was recognized as the key element of the model design. The model brings social, economic and environmental change to employees and students but also to the whole environment. Such a model could be replicated and such collaboration could be put on the map of social enterprises.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49238142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Theresa Bäuml, J. Möllers, T. Dufhues, A. Wolz, D. Traikova
{"title":"Producer Organisations in an Export-Oriented Value Chain: What Motivates Small-Scale Farmers in Kosovo to Collaborate?","authors":"Theresa Bäuml, J. Möllers, T. Dufhues, A. Wolz, D. Traikova","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Producer organisations bear great potential to link small-scale farmers to markets. In post-communist economies, historically negative attitudes towards cooperatives are blamed as barriers to collaboration, but little is known about the broader range of motives to (not) cooperate. We use a structural equation model to analyse cooperation intentions in Kosovo’s emerging export-oriented raspberry sector. In this context, negative images surrounding cooperation seem to belong to the past. Widespread positive attitudes towards joining producer organisations were driven by the wish to facilitate farm commercialisation. The most substantial influence on cooperation intentions came from the norms passed on by the family and farm advisory services. Yet, results beyond the econometric model show that a lack of information and knowledge and lack of institutional trust, mainly doubts about the feasibility of producer organisations, could hinder their spread and success.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44322894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rural Areas in Poland – Changes Since Joining the European Union","authors":"K. Heffner, Małgorzata Twardzik","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0021","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Rural areas are experiencing a dynamic, multidirectional change. It is the result of impact of many processes, including rapid, often spontaneous urbanisation and structural transformation in the agricultural sector and temporary and permanent movements of the population. Changes in the spatial structures of the countryside, on the one hand, influenced by European programmes and measures, linked to the processes of modernisation and organisation of rural settlements and economic systems. On the other hand, rapid economic development and spontaneous investment are resulting in the expansion of the urban forms of land use – not only in the immediate surroundings of the cities and towns, but also in remote, peripheral areas dominated until recently by farming. The paper presents the genesis of contemporary land use in rural areas in Poland, linking the countryside structures with the intensity and forms of residency and user economies in the rural areas. The main drivers of change, significantly affecting the emerging forms of farming villages, are processes of intensive suburbanisation and semi-urbanisation, the phenomenon of progressive peripherisation of large areas in different parts of the country, the depopulation of the countryside and profound changes in the demographic structure of the population, improvement of infrastructure and transport accessibility and economic revival of villages. There are also important issues related to advantages such as natural and cultural values of the village. The aim of the article is to present the main directions of functional and spatial transformations of rural areas in Poland from the beginning of the 21st century. The main hypothesis is that the development of rural areas in Poland proceeds in two directions: Urban “colonization”, which involves the invasion of both single- and multi-family housing in the surroundings of traditional villages and in areas previously used for agricultural purposes, is becoming increasingly widespread; this follows restructuring and diversification (spatial and functional) in urbanized rural areas. Much indicates that the rational development and use of rural areas will be one of the main challenges of Poland in the near future.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43984248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Decentralised Funding Activities of the Leader Local Action Groups of the North Hungarian Region from a Governancepoint of View","authors":"Adél Veselicz, J. Pénzes, Csaba Patkós","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Our article investigates the utilisation of EU support from the EFARD Axes 3 and 4 in the 2007–2013 period in North Hungary, with a special emphasis on the role of the LEADER local action groups (LAGs) and their forms of governance. A brief study ofthe results of the 2014–2020 period was also included. The distribution of resources was examined by a spatial inequality indicator, the Gini coefficient. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to explore the level and forms of governance in the case of LAGs. Our research results suggest that the distribution of Axis 3 resources within local action groups shows greater inequality in fewer LAGs. The Axis 4 denotes higher inequality. The level of governance of LAGs is relatively low as it is achieved through strong local leaders. This may explain high spatial inequalities of fund distribution.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45779967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bohemian Switzerland: Long-Term Spatiotemporal Transformations of Tourism Facilities in Rural Peripheries Between the Regulations and Access for All","authors":"Michaela Štěbetáková, V. Hruška, P. Raška","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Bohemian Switzerland (České Švýcarsko) is a name that has been associated with the prominent area of sandstone landscapes located in Northern Czechia (Central Europe). Over the last centuries, the development of the area and the locational transformation of tourism facilities has been influenced by multiscalar effects of transforming geopolitical context, economic restructuring, and changing value orientation and expectation toward tourism and nature conservation. In this paper, we use narrative documentary sources to show how these changes affected the capacity, spatial diffusion and variability of tourist facilities and services in the area. In particular, we explore and discuss the ways in which public authorities and other groups of stakeholders attempted to balance the tourism-led local development and rights to public access with nature conservation and sustainable community livelihood.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49592337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is Visitor Satisfaction High Enough? A Case of Rural Tourism Destination, South Bohemia","authors":"P. Štumpf, P. Janeček, V. Vojtko","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Satisfaction of visitors in tourism destinations is one of the most discussed topics in destination management and marketing. Many destinations report high satisfaction of their visitors. The objective of this study is to analyze overall satisfaction and satisfaction components in eleven tourism areas within South Bohemia, a typical Czech rural region, and to define the high level of satisfaction using benchmarking as a methodological approach. Using ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation, we identified the high level of satisfaction following the against-the-best benchmarking and the against-the-industry average approach. The results also show that perceived atmosphere in a destination, willingness to help and friendliness are the most significant components correlating with overall satisfaction.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42662290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vienna’s South-Eastern Hinterlands: Regional Development in the Austrian-Hungarian Border Area, 1910–2011","authors":"F. Jankó, Zsolt Bottlik, R. Győri","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Formed from the westernmost territories of Hungary, Burgenland became a part of Austria a hundred years ago. The aim of the paper is to answer the question of how Burgenland became integrated into the Austrian society and economy, how its regional inequalities and rural character changed in comparison to the neighbouring Austrian and Hungarian areas, under the influence of Vienna’s major role. The analysis is based on the census data of 1910, 1960/61, 2001 and 2011 and on the mapping of different social and economic indicators. Our data revealed that one hundred years ago, the northern, more prosperous area of Western Hungary was an integral part of the rural hinterland of the imperial capital, Vienna, in stark contrast to the region’s southern periphery. After World War II, however, a steep west-east gradient emerged in the borderland along the Iron Curtain, while the traditional north-south disparity continued to exist on both sides of the new border. During the political transformation in the early 1990s, and even more after Hungary’s EU accession (2004), the former hard border ceased to exist in this region, while Vienna regained its former economic importance and influence. After 1990, the patterns of regional disparities changed rapidly in Hungary, and the western part achieved a leading position within Hungary in every dimension of economic prosperity. In line with this, while the Austrian rural regions in Burgenland and between Vienna and Graz showed remarkable infrastructural progress, Southern Burgenland remained peripheral regarding economic activity.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46615751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Kovács, Vera Iváncsics, Zsombor Boromisza, I. Valánszki
{"title":"Spatial Trends of Grassland Changes Based on Hungarian Local Studies After 1990 with a Macro-Regional Perspective","authors":"K. Kovács, Vera Iváncsics, Zsombor Boromisza, I. Valánszki","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Grasslands contribute to the ecological diversity of our cultural landscapes. In the last centuries, the most important trend was a constant loss of this valuable asset due to urbanization and the intensification of cultivation. Studies focusing on grasslands are not so abundant, and especially analyses on the spatial trends of grasslands in Eastern-Central Europe are scarce. Focusing on Hungarian local studies, we analyze our results from a macro-regional perspective, with a draft study of the V4 countries (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland). The authors employed GIS and statistical methods to analyze data to explore trends of changes of grasslands in V4 countries, Hungary, and in three micro-regions of different landscape character. These include an open landscape, partly intensively cultivated (micro-region of Csorna), and two more diverse landscapes with different proportion of forests (micro-regions of Gönc and Veszprém). Our results show that very complex, sometimes opposite processes influence the area of grasslands. In spite of the fact that an increase in the area of grasslands is witnessed at both the national and the international level in absolute values, recently, unfavorable processes have started, and there are certain landscapes where grasslands are threatened especially natural grassland by forestation and grasslands where soil conditions are suitable for crop production. Our results showed that despite the different landscape conditions, the majority of grassland has been turned into arable land and into shrubs and forest area. The loss of pastures due to urban sprawl is a dominant process just around the built-up area of city of Veszprém in the most urbanized study area.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42076246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transformation of the Rural Settlement Network in the Carpathian Region of Ukraine (1989–2020)","authors":"R. Lozynskyy, Andriy Zubyk","doi":"10.2478/euco-2022-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The article describes research on the Transformation of the Rural Settlement Network in the Carpathian Region of Ukraine in recent decades. The study area covers the Carpathian region of Ukraine, which has the highest share of rural population in the country. The 1989–2020 period was chosen. Quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis of statistical indicators, deductive and inductive methods, and cartographic method were used. The demographic crisis and economic problems of Ukraine did not stop the most important demographic and settlement processes that began in rural settlements of the Carpathian region during the Soviet period. These processes acquired the special features associated with political transition. Depopulation was greatest in the most urbanized Lviv Oblast, especially in the plains, in peripheral villages, where a critical level of negative demographic change had previously been achieved. However, the disappeared villages are few. Population growth in villages in suburban areas of large cities has not stopped. In sparsely urbanized areas, mostly in Transcarpathia and Precarpathia, a large group of villages that have also not been depopulated has emerged. Their development was facilitated by the availability of recreational and forest resources, border location, state support for mountain villages, and some local factors. The real situation in rural Ukraine is partly obscured by imperfect official statistics. In particular, it is difficult to establish population losses due to labor migration abroad.","PeriodicalId":45589,"journal":{"name":"European Countryside","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47833198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}