Governance and Institutional Change: in a Slovene Rural Community PhD Research Proposal RODELA Romina IDARI PhD student

IDARI PhD student: RODELA Romina

SLOVENIA SLOVENIA Population: Men: Women: Area (sq km): Water (sq km): 122 Land (sq km): 20,151 IDARI PhD student: RODELA Romina

Environmental and socio-economic current issues of Slovene rural communities 1. Nitrogen emissions and other dangerous substances; 2. Migration 3. Ageing rural population (Farm owners 4.487, <36) - missing urban/rural dialogue 4. Expanding urban areas to the detriment of natural resources (wetlands, fertile land,..) 5. Poor infrastructure

The average Slovene farm < 35 years years years years> 64 years ownersFWFownersFWFownersFWFownersFWFownersFWF SLO (tot) Family farm, 4,7 ha (Erjavec, Rendak and Volk, 1998) 4.5% of GDP 7% total employment in the years after transition FWF - Full working force, Source: Statistic Yearbook of the Republic of Slovenia 2002,

…and than

What challenges the enlargement will bring to Slovene rural communities ? New instructions “how to farm”; Directives, Regulations New role of local governance action of the citizen, action of the local authority New conception of the natural environment

Theoretical Framework Recognizing the role of: local authorities rural communities Recognizing the interdependence of the biophysical and socio-economic system The focus will be the research the -institutional setting- toward an integrated and sustainable rural development.

Understand the human behaviour Identify and analyse behaviour of various rural actors Understand the means of innovations diffusion (agent-based modelling).

Understand the system Understand the system dynamics Recognising system characteristics Identify potential “blocked-in” mechanisms

Research Method Qualitative; to approach values, perceptions attitudes; (Ethnography) Quantiaitve: measurements, distribution, etc.

Thank you !