European agricultural fund for rural development: europe investing in rural local initiative group devnya aksakovo

The Local development strategy of LIG DEVNYA - AKSAKOVO mainly covers agricultural areas of the LIG. The analysis presented below includes only issues that may be affected by the implementation of the strategy under the LEADER approach in accordance with community and national rules. That is why not all the questions, reviewed during the group discussions are reflected in it.

4.1. Objectives of the strategy and priorities for development:

In order for the system for preservation of the traditions, natural and cultural heritage to be not only a set of places prepared for presentation of folklore customs and crafts and exhibition of material monuments of culture, but to also form part of a territorial network, it is necessary to implement the planning and management of a vast territory, which should take into account the dynamics of the cultural and social spheres and their interconnections. The local development strategy is aimed at managing these areas in an integrated way with the management of external territorial matrix, i.e. with its various socio-economic and natural characteristics. In other words, the aim is to integrate the matrix of traditions, natural and cultural heritage through microchains between specialists who are even from different sectors (environment, agriculture, crafts, trade, etc.)..

We understand the traditions broadly. They include not only the preserved customs, crafts and material monuments of culture. They incorporate subsystems of agricultural production and the environment. Traditions are not opposed to innovation, they actually support them - they oblige us to act with the same courage, will and resourcefulness as our ancestors.

As seen from the socio-economic analysis of the territory it is possible to identify the following strategic objectives:

• 
  To promote social development through a better quality of life (environmental relation, style and quality of rural life, landscape, cultural context, etc..)
  
• 
  Creation of added value in the territory by taking advantage of the proximity to the economy of the district town and nearby resorts:
  
  • 
    Reducing the cost of access to the market by integrating initiatives between companies through appropriate support (infrastructure and services);
    
  • 
    enhancing the value of products and services in the relation quality-environment-health;
    
  • 
    Streamlining procedures and integration planning
    
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    Public-private services, to facilitate the process of connecting
    
  • 
    Expansion of networks for spatial integration (urban territory-territory of LIG DEVNYA AKSAKOVO; rural territory of LIG DEVNYA AKSAKOVO - urban territory)
    
  • 
    Integration of activities between different sectors (competitiveness chains)
    

Therefore, the strategic objective of the LDS defined by LIG DEVNYA - AKSAKOVO was formulated as Increasing the value of the territory through the use of traditional, natural and cultural heritage.

To achieve the strategic goal of the LDS we identified three priorities:

1. 
   Competitiveness by increasing the added value of agricultural products
   
2. 
   Improving the environment and the rural area by conserving natural resources
   
3. 
   Improving the quality of life and diversification of employment conditions
   

Justification: The agricultural production is important both for the economy of the territory and to preserve its traditional rural image. The agricultural producers face difficulties in adapting to the current economic conditions, and many of them leave the business. Therefore, there is a danger for the territory of losing its rural appearance, and this (agricultural production) is an important component of the system of traditions.

We strive to achieve the development of supply, focused on the organization of integrated chains between different economic subjects (even from different industries).

2. Improving the environment and the rural area by conserving natural resources: environment and the territory

The quality of the environment is important from several perspectives:

• 
  important factor in the quality of life within the territory of LIG DEVNYA AKSAKOVO;
  
• 
  major factor in agricultural production;
  
• 
  resource for development of sustainable tourism (rural, recreational, hunting);
  
• 
  important factor for biodiversity.
  

Justification: This is the main priority in the strategy. It is the cornerstone around which the other two are made. Our understanding is that the territory is not the sum of goods (products, services and attractive rural landscape). It is the life of the local population, it is an experience for the consumer and the local population, as it is part of the territory. In this sense, the territory of LIG DEVNYA AKSAKOVO is consumed in its entirety.

The preserved traditions, diversity of traditions, crafts and material monuments influence also the social development of a given territory. To many of these social functions correspond benefits of economic type. The economic size of the traditions is, in fact, directly related to the benefits derived from the value of the use and non-use of cultural and capital. At the same time, the use of cultural capital generates income that allow the restoration and preservation, preserving it for future generations.

Under this priority, will be funded projects of participants in competing chains with agricultural producers (producers of packaging, construction and maintenance of logistics centers). As especially important are considered the projects for integrated tourism, allowing valorisation of natural and cultural heritage, integration of agriculture with other sectors of the local economy, and as a result, adding value to the territory that exceeds the benefits of individual economic, civil and public entities (synergistic effect).