engleski

Development issues of mountain areas in the Republic of Croatia

Considering their geographical, climatic, transport, and socioeconomic specifics, mountain areas are of particular interest for the European regional and cohesion policy. The regional policy of the Republic of Croatia also recognizes the sensitivity and specificity of these areas and seeks to foster their development and reduce development lags through special mechanisms. The aim of this paper was to investigate long-term demographic and economic characteristics of mountain areas in Croatia and, based on the results of the analysis, to assess the effects of the regional policy, i.e. the current system of fostering the development of mountain areas, both in terms of regional development goals and aspects of reducing development divergences in Croatia. The analysis of characteristics of mountain areas is based on long-term trends of relevant demographic and economic indicators for the period from 2001 to 2017. The key findings indicate extremely negative demographic and economic trends, as well as a continuous lag in relation to other regional areas of Croatia. Thus, the authors propose the implementation of an integrated management system for the next development perspective, in accordance with modern changes in the regional and local paradigm. The key instruments of all aspects of such a system should focus on the development of innovation, human resource development, as well as creative forms of entrepreneurs’ networking. In this process, it is important to balance the system of incentives by respecting the criteria of productivity, sustainability, and equity.

Mountain areas, Regional policy, Regional development, Development incentives

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