TITLE SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE TRANSFORMATION OF THE BULGARIAN RURAL AREAS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

The European Green Deal, the “Farm to Fork” strategy, the Long-Term Vision for EU Rural Areas - 2040 are key strategic documents that set out the goals for improving the economic and social well-being of people and for the efficient use of natural resources in rural areas. The processes of urbanization and deterioration of the demographic structure in rural areas deepened the regional imbalance in Bulgaria. Consequently, there is a need to change the traditional model of development to a new one based on digital technologies. The aim is to analyze the extent to which the goals for sustainable, inclusive and carbon neutral development of rural areas can be achieved in Bulgaria.