Stanislav Zekić, Bojan Matkovski and Žana Kleut
By acquiring the conditions for the usage of the pre-accession funds of the European Union, concretely the instrument for rural development (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance in Rural Development – IPARD), The Republic of Serbia (RS) will have a chance to improve the position of its agricultural farms and the conditions of its rural areas. Agriculture is specifically important for the economy in RS, and the rural population makes up almost one-half of the population, which additionally enlarges an interest in these funds. In addition, the objective of the research is to identify the effects of the usage of the IPARD funds on the development of the rural areas, respectively the socio-economic progress of the rural population. A qualitative descriptive analysis on the basis of the empirical data was used. The basic conclusions are that, thus, structured funds will have a limited impact on the reduction in the development inequalities and the achievement of the parity living conditions between the rural and the urban areas. Namely, the dominant focus of the IPARD funds on the investments in agricultural farms and enterprises, and not in rural households, limits the level of their impact on the rural development in RS.
Lela Ristić
This paper aims to present the current level of sustainable rural development in the Republic of Serbia, the development potentials and the problems identified in this area, as well as to bring to attention the necessity of sustainable rural development modernization as a significant part of the EU accession process. The mentioned issues are examined in accordance with the specific characteristics of the rural areas in the Republic of Serbia and the generally accepted principles of sustainable development (the economic, environmental and social ones), taking into account the interests of present and future generations. The paper analyzes the necessity and possible directions of the sustainable rural development of the Republic of Serbia. In this regard, the paper points to the significant role of the official state development policy in solving the problems of rural areas by establishing appropriate priorities and specific guidelines for future sustainable rural development. The conclusion is that the comprehensive and continuous work on the revitalization and development of rural areas is essential and must be in compliance with the principles of sustainable development. It is vital that the efforts towards sustainable rural development include significant investments, education programs, initiatives and activities of all development actors at the national, regional and local levels, as well as people directly involved in agriculture and agricultural production.