RURAL AREA RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF HUNGARY – CROATIA IPA CROSS-BRODER COOPERATION

Resource management of a particular area is nowadays one of the greatest challenges, especially when it comes to more sensitive areas, such as rural areas. Human resources, alongside mostly limited natural resources, represent an opportunity for rural areas, especially due to the beginning of utilization of considerable EU preaccession funds. This paper presents one part of the primary research results on the views of project implementors and end-users about the impact of the achieved results of IPA CBC Hungary-Croatia 2007-2013 on human resources of the implementing institutions and local communities of the observed, mostly rural area. The conclusion of this research, that was conducted in 2018, is that the funds invested in an observed area had a dual role. First of all, implementing organizations would not have this amount of work and number of employees, nor would they establish partnerships with organizations from another country, carry out activities or develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities of their human resources. Also, the implementation of their project has increased the number of contacts and collaborations with organizations at a local level, which is a significant resource for the future. On the other hand, the funds have enabled users, residents of local communities along the border, to acquire new skills, increase knowledge and abilities they can use for further development, to understand the importance of lifelong learning and the increase of active involvement in a local community. In conclusion, the project implementation and the investment in rural areas is an investment in the future due to the diversity of processes they can activate.