Types of interaction between environment, rural economy, society and agriculture in European regions (TERESA)

The objectives of TERESA project have been divided into three main groups:

• Identification of relationship between the environment and economy in rural areas with society and agriculture
• Elaboration of a model representing the above-mentioned relations in rural areas in various parts of Europe and determining the impact of planning on the development of these areas
• Identification and evaluation of the already undertaken activities and implemented strategies in terms of their effectiveness in stimulating rural development

Tasks within TERESA project are directly linked with one of the priority issues of the EU policies. Reconstruction of the Common Agricultural Policy assumptions was to some extent initiated by the changes taking place in agriculture of the expanding European Union. The number of jobs in agriculture, as well as professions directly related to it, has significantly decreased, which also has far-reaching effects on living conditions in rural areas. Regardless of these changes, the foundation of the new Common Agricultural Policy is a continuation of aliment self-sufficiency policy of the EU. At the same time there is an increasing emphasis of stressing out in the EU documents the need to include in the planning and agricultural activities environmental protection requirements. The expectations of the EU residents in this filed have also increased. This puts farmers in the face of the challenges that can be met with an increasing difficulty.