Process of Deinstitutionalization of Children at Risk in Bulgaria

AbstractIn recent years in Bulgaria the type of institutional care for children at risk is changing giving priority to family and close to family environment. The will to implement this process of all involved responsible agencies, institutions and non-governmental organizations has found expression in a number of regulations, strategic and program documents, as well as innovative and successful practices. Economic, political and social changes that accompany the transition has led to new problems and exacerbated existing problems. Current study makes analyses of the national strategy for deinstitutionalization of children and concludes on important recommendations concerning national policy development. The policy should be based on the respect of child rights, norms, standards and principles of universality, indivisibility and nondiscrimination, while characterized by high sensitivity, flexibility and preparedness to meet the challenges. It is important and necessary to develop a policy that will not only offer appropriate care for children at risk in the short term, but will prevent similar problems in the future

BULGARİSTAN’DA RIBARITSA RESORT ÖRNEĞİ DOĞRULTUSUNDA TETEVEN DAĞLARI BÖLGESİ’NDE SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİR TURİZM KALKINMASI İÇİN KAYNAKLARIN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

The paper presents the results of an evaluation of tourist resources and opportunities of tourism development in the central region of the mountain of Stara planina which is among the most interesting places in Bulgaria providing excellent climate, remarkable nature and trained and motivated human resources for development of tourism and recreation activities in the region. Bearing in mind the importance of nature conservation activities in the region, development of sustainable forms of tourism will preserve environment (soil, water, biodiversity and landscape) but at the same time by offering specific tourist products and using market opportunities these will assure economic and social development of the region.Bu çalışma; mükemmel iklimi, olağanüstü doğası, eğitimli ve motive insan kaynaklarıyla Bulgaristan’da en ilginç yerler arasında bulunan Stara planina dağı merkez bölgesinde turizmin ve dinlenme alanlarının gelişmesi için turizm kaynaklarının ve turizm gelişim fırsatlarının değerlendirilmesi sonuçlarını sunmaktadır. Bölgedeki doğa koruma faaliyetlerinin önemi göz önüne alınacak olursa sürdürülebilir turimz formlarının gelişimi çevreyi koruyacak (toprak, su, biyolojik çeşitlilik ve manzara) fakat aynı zamanda spesifik turistik ürünler ve pazar imkanlarını da sunarak bölgenin ekonomik ve sosyal kalkınmasını da sağlayacaktır

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC PRODUCTION IN BULGARIA

The paper examines the development of the organic production sector in Bulgaria in recent years, particularly emphasizing the main challenges and problems and the need for close monitoring, support and re–energisation of the sector. Its potential, trends and multidimensional implications for the environment, society and local communities represent an important research subject and are the focus of the INVEST Regional Living Lab in Bulgaria, established by the University of Agribusiness and Rural Development. The Living Lab applies the quadruple helix approach to work on open innovations that fits very well the research task of identifying challenges and opportunities for the development of organic production in Bulgaria. Combining primary data, case studies and facticology from the terrain that highlight the most pressing issues for regulation and funding, the research provides a two–level view of trends on organics at EU level and the local photography. The results suggest that improving the capacity of chain operators, access to organic markets and research on fast–growing ones can expand the potential of opportunities, integrating this research with other research tasks in the INVEST Living Laboratory in Bulgaria, especially those related to alternative food networks and relationships between urban and rural territories, climate change, agriculture and tourism. Good practices, green innovations and expertise within the ecosystem to implement efficient solutions remain essential for the vision and expansion of the sector

Opportunities of Establishment of Destination Management and Marketing Organizations in Bulgaria

The paper examines tourism sector development in the Republic of Bulgaria in the context of the country’s strategic priorities till 2020 of knowledge-based economy, sustainable growth and smart specialization, the opportunities for its integration with agri-food sector and potential contribution to balanced rural development. The principles and roles of destination management and marketing organizations are discussed and the opportunities for their application in the national conditions are explored. A framework for of establishment, management and functioning of such organizations is proposed based on integrated and participatory approaches, planning, coordination and communication activities, permanent monitoring and controlling

Application of New Instruments to Increase Effectiveness of Implementation of Social Policies on Labour Market in Bulgaria

Nowadays, public employment services face a number of urgent tasks as raising the employment rate and reducing the number of vacant jobs for which is difficult to find enough qualified workers. New realities on labour market and dynamic environment require adequate actions, rational and timely decision making and optimization of work. Dynamic changes in social environment impacting labour markets and activities of public employment services impose various tasks which implementation should be carefully planned, organized and controlled. To achieve that public employment services should take a more comprehensive look at the demand and supply of labour, considering the numerous transitions taking place constantly on the labour market and people's personal development. Improving processes and the quality of the administrative services in the Bulgarian employment agency is seen as a prerequisite for effective implementation of employment policies. The study presents opportunities for improving the quality of services offered in the Directorates "Labour Office" in the Republic of Bulgaria by introducing a process model and improvements in the capacity and efficiency of work in the field of labour mediation

THE BUSINESS MODEL OF ALTERNATIVE FOOD NETWORKS IN BULGARIA

The paper examines the alternative food networks in the agri-food sector in their variety of forms focusing on the issue of sustainable production and consumption, and particularly high quality and safety of products. Special attention is paid to the development of organic production and the potential to integrate it with some types of alternative food networks in Bulgaria. The study was implemented at the INVEST Regional Living Lab in Bulgaria under the research task of Alternative food chains and new business models. The focus on the development process of open innovations in the living lab predetermined the use of the participatory approach in the quadruple helix of research work. The opportunities of students’ involvement are of special consideration, particularly emphasizing the need of new training programs and approaches oriented towards the real business and practice for capacity building in sustainable rural development. The paper presents a business model for development of an alternative food network in Bulgaria considering the main characteristics of the spatial, social and economic proximity in short production and distribution chains. The model envisages students’ engagement in the main activities of an entrepreneurial initiative in University of agribusiness and rural development

Regional sustainability from a transdisciplinary perspective: Invest 4 excellence

Projekt INVEST FOR EXCELLENCE IN REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY (INVEST4EXCELLENCE) získal finančné prostriedky z programu Európskej únie pre výskum a inovácie Horizont 2020 na základe dohody o grante č. 101035815. Zodpovednosť za informácie a názory uvedené v tomto príspevku nesú výlučne autori.The INVEST alliance brings together partners from different European regions who support the idea that higher education and science have a leading role in sustainable development. The application of the Living Labs concept provides opportunities to create an innovative learning environment combined with a new vision of regional transitions focused on the diversity of actions aimed at interdisciplinary approaches, innovation and knowledge exchange to achieve sustainability in European regions. INVEST primarily deals with three groups of topics: 1) water, energy, food and environment; 2) quality of life and 3) business. These are areas that address the most pressing global challenges associated with climate change and adaptation to it. A new model of institutional transformation, a European innovation ecosystem for academia - business and society, capacity-building tools and the I EDUC8EU tool for engaging the main actors in the regions are among the main outputs of the INVEST4EXCELLENCE project funded by the European Union's research and innovation program Horizon 2020

Zastosowanie nowej metody oceny gotowości producentów / handlowców do przejścia na produkcję / handel organiczny

This paper studies the opportunities for application of a new method elaborated by the author (1) for evaluation of the readiness of producers and traders for conversion to organic production or trade. The method was created as a result of a study of organic sector development and it is based on the determination of the most important factors in this development. The method relies on a simple evaluation scheme and calculations. It turns to be useful as just a pilot investigation of the five most important factors stated as indicators: preparation (in terms of knowledge and skills of managers/ entrepreneurs), motivation, resources, planning activities skills (considered separately of others because of their particular importance in the ‘organic’ approach), environmental protection and organic production measures undertaken recently. The investigation presented in this paper puts the method developed on theory into practice. Furthermore, it proves the conformability of the proposed method and its possible usefulness. In addition, the steps in starting the conversion are proposed in which an approach very different from the one used till now (based on the choice of a new production technology) is adapted. The accent here is on the management, overall control over the processes and achieving sustainable growth.Niniejsza praca bada możliwości zastosowania nowej, opracowanej przez autorkę metody oceny gotowości producentów i handlowców do przejścia na produkcję lub handel organiczny. Metoda ta powstała w wyniku badań rozwoju sektora organicznego i oparta jest na ustaleniu najważniejszych wskaźników tego rozwoju. Bazuje na prostym systemie oceny i obliczeniach i okazuje się użyteczna jedynie jako badanie pilotażowe pięciu najważniejszych czynników określanych jako wskaźniki: przygotowania (pod względem wiedzy i umiejętności menadżerów / przedsiębiorców), motywacji, zasobów, umiejętności planowania działań (rozważanych osobno z powodu ich szczególnej wagi w podejściu „organicznym”), ochrony środowiska oraz ostatnio podjętych działań w dziedzinie produkcji organicznej. Badania przedstawione w niniejszej pracy pozwalają zastosować w praktyce metodę opracowaną w teorii. Potwierdzają one ponadto zgodność tej metody i jej ewentualną użyteczność. Co więcej, zaproponowano kroki prowadzące do rozpoczęcia przejścia na produkcję / handel organiczny, gdzie zastosowano zupełnie inne podejście niż stosowane dotychczas (oparte na wyborze nowej technologii produkcji). Akcent położony tu został na zarządzanie, całościową kontrolę nad procesami i osiągnięcie zrównoważonego rozwoju

Marketing Strategies in Organic Production in Bulgaria

Abstract The paper investigates the situation in organic sector and market development in Bulgaria as a part of the European Union. The investigation is based on the work with farmers applying for support or implementing business plans under a measure of the national rural development program for setting up of holdings of young farmers. In addition, a set of criteria for assessment of organic sector market development in the country was made which were discussed on a round table discussion and expert opinion was collected. The study poses and discusses some important issues on the organic farm profitability and the influence of the European and the state support. In the process of this study some conclusions were made concerning the importance as motivation issue and marketing planning in organic production. On the basis of the investigations made, the paper makes a proposal for making marketing strategies in organic production holdings (farms) considering the four elements of marketing mix -product, price, place and promotion

Farmers’ Markets as a Business Model Encouraging Sustainable Production and Consumption

The current study discusses the role and the importance of alternative food networks, farmers’ markets in particular, for sustainable rural development through the example of Bulgaria. Farmers’ markets are considered as a sustainable business model of networking which encourages production and consumption of local food of healthy origin adhering to high standards for quality and safety, building society and trust and encouraging development of rural regions. The case of Bulgaria is scrutinized in the context of the support for local food and short supply chains anticipated under the national rural development programme for the period 2014–2020 and the current state-of-art and capacities of available farmers’ markets. Some good practices are analyzed and presented establishing a new type of relationships between producers and consumers of farm products proving that farmers’ markets could be efficient incubators of local businesses and new relationships with end-users. Conclusions are made on nature, objectives and functioning of farmers’ markets, challenges and problems in their promotion, support and encouragement