The Social Context of Local Development in Jebucu, Romania

  • Tibor FARKAS Institute for Regional Economics and Rural Development
  • Cristina Bianca Pocol University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj Napoca
  • Zsuzsanna KASSAI Institute for Regional Economics and Rural Development
Keywords: local community, local development, regional development

Abstract

The local development possibilities of a settlement are connected to the general social and economic status of the region, however local resources also can directly shape local develop capacity and outcomes. We examine the dynamics of regional and local possibilities in Jebucu, Romania using statistical data from Romania’s National Statistical Office. Local data were also gathered with help of the research camp in Jebucu[1] in the summer of 2013. Beside a questionnaire survey there were also interviews and documents used in the analysis. Due to its location in northwest Romania, the region has relatively favourable opportunities within the country. Although the population and the employment have declined recently, the average life expectancy has increased. Dynamic agglomeration processes have occurred around the larger cities of the region, and the impact of emigration from cities can be observed in the countryside as well. The development processes which have occurred in Jebucu can be regarde asd pivotal. On the one hand, there were local actors who took the lead in the community and initiated development efforts. The actors who initiated the progress possessed strong external networks of relations and strong initiative skills. On the other hand, external supporters and resources were also available. This study discusses the combination of internal and external resources which helped shape local development efforts.

[1] The Hungarian name of the village - used by local people, too -is Zsobok.

 

Published
2015-05-29