The need for the study program arises from the interaction of political and administrative changes in rural and regional development; globally occurring social, economic, technological, and cultural transformations and climate change that influence regional and local decision-making; as well as the continuously increasing complexity of public organizations’ decisions and environmental changes; the necessity of improving the activities of public institutions in regional and rural development. The need for professional rural development administration is based on the provisions of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the European Union (EU) growth strategy "European Green Deal", smart specialization and progress strategies. Global strategies require a just transition to public administration systems at national, regional and local levels, focusing on inclusive territorial development, combining local resources, leaving no one behind. The management of recent processes and activities requires highly competent, proactively acting rural development specialists who assume evidence-based, experience-driven, and knowledge-grounded leadership. The aim of the study programme is to deepen
and broaden the knowledge required for scientific research and professional
activity within the system of rural development administration institutions, to
develop strategic and holistic thinking and specialised competencies necessary
for the integrated and smart management of qualitative and quantitative changes
in rural regions and institutional activities.
Graduates of this programme will be able to
make and implement strategic decisions in rural development policy and
management, to design and implement rural development management innovations in
the context of sustainable development, and to apply the latest scientific
research methodologies as well as theories and models of rural development
management.
