| The agri-food sector has been influencing the current economic development in many of the Stability Pact countries of South-Eastern Europe. Although agriculture is the driving force of economic and social development in the rural areas, its significance in the society is steadily decreasing. This causes lower incomes in rural areas and an increasing migration of the rural population to urban centres bringing about a multitude of new challenges and tasks. |
Being aware of this situation, the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) commissioned InWEnt, Capacity Building International, Germany to design and organize a dialogue and training sequence on “Regional Rural Development (RRD)“. Within this sequence InWEnt is not acting alone, but closely co-operates with national and international projects in the region. |
| Therefore, rural areas in South-Eastern Europe get special attention by various national and European programmes. A decade of intensive discussions and the implementation of regional and rural development initiatives has come up with economic and social changes and experiences. Nevertheless, there is a substantial need for professional analysis, planning and management for rural regions considering not only economic but also social, institutional and ecological dimensions. This process requires political support and the strengthening of human capacities of those people, who organize and handle such change processes. |
Following the seminars from 2003 to 2006 and training workshops in 2004, 2005 and 2006, InWEnt organised a third regional seminar on “Regional Marketing - Branding of Products and Regions“ for participants from Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Montenegro, Serbia and UNMIK Kosovo.
Jens Adler
Senior Project Manager
InWEnt - Capacity Building International, Germany |
Opening
and Introduction