ASSESSING EU POLICY IMPACTS ON THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERS OF RURAL AREAS

Rural areas are not homogenous. Their heterogeneity is a precondition for simultaneous appearance of various functions – economic, social and environmental. Rural areas imply multifunctionality and their multifunctional characteristics are ground for implementation of various policies that support environment, social and economic functions. The paper aims to review EU policies that have direct and indirect impact on multifunctional characteristics of rural areas. Potential impact of EU policies is assessed in three domains – economic, social and environment. In each domain expected effects are assessed from the point of multi-functionality. Potential impact in economic functions is expected in production of commodities; provision of monetary income and access to consumer markets; food safety (quality and maintaining productive potential); diversification or rural activities (through development of new activities related to farming). Potential impact in social functions is expected in establishment and maintenance of social ties; keeping young generations in rural areas; decreasing the migration to urban areas; improving age structure of farmers; preserving and maintaining cultural capital; preservation of rural communities and the status of each individual within those communities. Potential impact in environmental function is expected in environmental protection; ecological/bio – farming; afforestation of rural areas; preserving biodiversity; preserving natural resources