1. Sustainable and Democratic Rural Development in the Slovak Republic Veronika Chobotova PhD project proposal

2. Objectives: to study innovations encouraging a sustainable rural development (sustainable tourism in biodiversity areas) Theoretical part: identify innovative approaches to rural development (complexity and uncertainty) Practical part: analyse present situation and main drivers for change in rural development of SR, test innovative approach on empirical ground (integrate them in environmental governance of transition economy of the SR

3. Property rights Previous political regime – all land was nationalised – serious deformation of rural relationship, loss of contact with property of ancestor. Act on restitution and privatisation – former owners apply for their property,buy property by private entities; various effects with limited increase of effectiveness of rural activities.

4. Nature protection Act of Nature protection: preservation of nature – fundamental priority. All NP established after 1948 – land is privately owned. State compensate private landowners but no money available. Pressure from owners side to expand economic activity - ignoring nature conservation status.

5. Agriculture Agriculture oriented – mass production with considerable negative impact on the environment. Act of restitution allowed previous owners to apply for land – limited financial, human sources, conservative attitude of farmers community - didn’t provide adequate space for rural innovations, majority of activities oriented on traditional productions (mountain areas), additional treats for environment, enhance rural conflicts.

6. Lack of institutional maturity and participatory democracy Communication and cooperation among actors / week, missing - paralyze development, implementation of regional policies, alternative economic programs; contrast of legal gabs, incapability or unwillingness of owners to implement relevant measures (lack of financial resources, skills, loss of positive relationship to the land of ancestor); most of decision are still adopted in administrative way without support and responsibility from regions.

7. Inappropriate policies and governmental support Restricting of the farm sector - difficulties in transformation of co-operatives to smaller units; radical cutting of state subsidies for agriculture; absence of target-oriented subsidies for specific program; lack of initiatives towards implementation of sustainable agriculture, missing market for such products.

8. Methodology Combination of conventional and innovative methods, application of a complex chain of approach with more interdisciplinary orientation: Comparative economic analyses of traditional and new rural activities in SR; Institutional analyses- Institutional change in rural development ; MC evaluations in rural planning an decision making (interactive learning with actors and decision-makers involved).