Prof. Dr. Zornitsa Stoyanova, Head of the UNWE Economics of Natural Resources Department, and Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Yulia Doychinova, lecturer at the same Department, participated in a Round Table Conference - Discussion on theTheory and Practice for Sustainable Management and Development of Rural Areas in Bulgaria, which was held at Dimitar А. Tsenov Academy of Economics - Svishtov. The Scientific Forum is a planned event within the Administrative Contract No. KP-06-H55/1 of 15.11.2021 on the Development of Rural Areas in a Transforming to Sustainability Economy. The project is funded by the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science under the Competition for Fundamental Scientific Research - 2021.
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At the opening of the Forum the Project Head Prof. Dr. Marina Nikolova, presented the team that consists of researchers from Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in partnership with the University of National and World Economy - Sofia and the University of Economics - Varna as well as external experts attracted to the base organization. "The joint research work undoubtedly strengthens the partnerships between the related Departments of the three main economic universities in Bulgaria which helps to achieve a synergistic common effect in the field of science and education", said the Project Head. According to Prof. Nikolova the study of the theoretical and methodological foundations and institutional imperatives in the management and development of rural areas in Bulgaria is of extremely high scientific value. She added that the different development models in the context of transformation of the economic systems of the countries allow analyzing and assessing the positive and negative impacts on the development of rural areas.
Prof. Dr. Atanas Atanasov, Vice-Rector for Research and Staff Development, welcomed the project team and the participants in the Scientific Forum on behalf of the Academic Management. He emphasized on the relevance of the chosen topic and outlined that there is no other sector that focuses on social, economic and environmental issues.
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The main objective of the research project is to study the theoretical and methodological foundations and institutional imperatives in the development and management of rural territories in Bulgaria requiring the formation of systems for interaction between the authorities and economic structures, and to develop a conceptual model for sustainable development of the territory. The thesis of the research project is that the development of rural areas is determined by a variety of factors with positive and negative impacts and it is necessary to build adequate policies for their sustainable management and development.
In relation to the set objectives the thesis and working hypotheses were defined the issues, scope and directions of the scientific forum. Within the first panel in the Round Table Conference - Discussion /hybrid format/, took part representatives from business practice, local government, the Bulgarian Association Organic Products, the Foundation Environment and Agriculture, local initiative groups, undrgraduates, PhD students and alumni. The topic provoked a lively discussion and proved the relevance and importance of the chosen issues. The team from the three universities /Prof. Dr. Marina Nikolova, Prof. D.Sc./Hist./ Yulia Doychinova, Prof. Dr. Zornitsa Stoyanova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Stanimirova and Chief Assist. Dr. Damyan Kirechev/ presented the main results to date, including publications, participation in scientific forums, discussions as well as the upcoming initiatives until the completion of the project in March 2025.
The second panel entitled Presenting Products from Sustainable Farms with Regional Origins attracted great interest and provoked a number of questions to the presenters. The Forum ended with a tasting of Bulgarian food and products provided by the producers participating in the Round Table Conference.
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The nearly 40 papers presented during the Forum are included in a Colelction with volume of 372 pages. The reports of the representatives of the scientific institutions, including seven Bulgarian universities /Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, UNWE, Economci University - Varna, St. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Technical University - Gabrovo, Technical University - Sofia, Georgy Benkovsky Bulgarian Air Force Academy- Dolna Mitropolia/ as well as two research institutes /Institute of Mountain Farming and Agriculture - Troyan and Institute of Fishery and Aquaculture – Plovdiv/. The topics are characterised by their importance, depth and critical analysis of the theoretical formulations, with practical orientation and applicability. Innovative ideas have been generated that focus the efforts on the wider application of the concept of sustainable management and development in rural areas.
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After the useful discussion, a preliminary selected jury ranked the nominated products and certificates were awarded by the Vice-Rector of Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics Prof. Atanasov and by the Project Head Prof. Nikolova.
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