The socio-economic dimension of rural development for the North-East Region of Romania

Abstract

This paper is aimed at the approach of social and economic dimension of rural development at the level of the North-Eastern Romanian Region, in order to identify the main problems and perspectives of the region, offering suitable solutions for the implementation and improvement of the actual development strategy of the region. The methodology used SWOT analysis, in order to highlight the actual dimension and perspective of sustainable development for this region. Besides calculating the conventional GNP and income as the primary indicators of economic progress, the methodology used an adapted regional Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW) developed by economist Herman Daly and theologian John Cobb (1994), and a new version made by the United Nations Development Programme (2010). The methodology also used the results of a research project developed in all the six counties of the region, which provided this paper scientific support. The research results indicated development of agro-tourism and non-agricultural activities as the main solutions for socio-economical problems of the region. One of the identified developing solutions was the infrastructure improvement of the region, with direct effect on increasing investments in the rural areas and the development of economical activities, based on rich cultural heritage of the region.   Key words: North East Region, Romania, rural development.