Elements of Sustainable Rural Development Strategy

The implementation of sustainable development is not only the task of a country or a region but it is the responsibility of everyone regardless of their geographic position. Since 2001, the Strategy for Sustainable Development has existed in the European Union. In connection with this strategy every EU member state has to develop and implement their own sustainable development strategy. This strategy for Hungary was created this year. It was built up from the different part-strategies such as sustainable sectorial, regional and rural development strategies. This study feeds on the sustainable rural development strategy. It also wants to show how the sustainable development of Hungarian rural areas can connect to the strategic directions of the EU and how it can achieve the elements of sustainable development. But before showing the directions and measures taken, we will introduce the most important social and economic trends of Hungarian rural areas to give light to the starting point of the implementation of sustainable development strategy.