Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 21 ISSUE 2
Written by Silvia-Valentina URECHE, Ionel-Mugurel JITEA

There is rising concern of peripherality, economic and population decline in mountain areas. A representative area facing similar issues is the Apuseni Mountains of the Romanian Carpathians. The area is appreciated for the picturesque quality of the landscape, with valuable touristic potential. However, the geographic specificity is also associated with the high dispersal of the human settlements, poor connectivity and infrastructure. Economic and political changes during the socialist period led to rural depopulation by favouring the mining industry, and to massive emigration after The closure of mines (favoured by the socialist politics), led to young population immigrating for other revenue sources. The last two decades present a similar trend, especially in the rural communities, where farming is limited to subsistence and the population faces declines up to 40%. The aim of the present study is to assess the economic progress of the communities within the Apuseni Mountains area, by correlating the social and economic situation with the public effort of investments and supporting policies. As the analyzed territory is mainly rural (140 out of 153 localities), we considered the European rural development policies, which are tailored at the national level, and their effects. By the use of the Principal Component analysis, we have analysed at the administrative unit level the impact of European financial subsidies in relation to demographical changes and entrepreneurial activity. Findings show the positive role of pluriactivity in the rural areas, while agriculture is weakly linked with population changes. Investments in renewing villages and the modernization of agricultural holdings are associated with the development of tourism (and agritourism predominantly) and local products certification. The results support the inherent potential of the area to become resilient through tourism, culture-infused food and traditions, and enhanced collective responsibility.

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