<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Worldwide research has shown that women tend to devote a disproportionate amount of time to domestic labour that can be a barrier to gender equality and women's empowerment. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which women's role in unpaid domestic labour has an effect on their well-being and whether this presents a barrier to their empowerment or their ability ‘to do and be’ what they value. The study is based on ethnographic research in six rural villages located at the very north-eastern part of Croatia in Slavonia. This article draws on rural women's (and men's) accounts of their meanings and experiences in unpaid domestic labour. Pertaining to this labour, it also reviews their contribution as well as their lack of access to well-being in the family and wider community. Findings show that women's engagement in domestic labour has both positive and negative effects on their well-being, as well as that of their families and the wider community.</abstract>

The Meanings and Experiences of Domestic Labour among Rural Women in Croatia

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper will answer the question raised by the ongoing debate on the conditions of Alternative Agro-Food Networks (AAFN) strengthened in the specific context of different European countries. Modern, sustainable local food systems are built on the basis of social networks which linked different actors into a coherent, horizontal web. Producers, processors and consumers are bonded by a common vision and values which go far beyond simple market production. The issue of sustainable food production and consumption gains special importance in the post-transformation countries of Eastern Europe.</abstract>

Strengthening Alternative Agro-food Networks in the Eastern European Countryside

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper critically examines the role tourism can play in the stabilisation and diversification of rural areas using the example of Poland. Based on the literature and statistical data, the past development and current state of rural tourism in Poland is analysed. Then an analytical framework based on Porter (1990) is developed to assess the future tourist potential of Polish rural areas and identify barriers and chances of tourist development. The analysis revealed that the future tourist potential of rural areas in Poland is limited and often overestimated. Considerable deficits on the supply side and poor financial resources are combined with a limited and recently shrinking demand. The economic significance of tourism in most rural areas outside of the traditional tourist destinations has so far been marginal. Rural tourism in Poland can grow on a small scale and in niche markets requiring: 1) sound market research at national level, 2) regional tourism strategies based on an analysis of the seven depicted success factors, 3) organisations and intersectoral partnerships at regional level, and 4) a high level of interest and initiative of the local population to develop creative ideas for supply ‘bundles’ and to overcome the numerous barriers. Rural tourism is not a panacea for the structural problems of rural areas in Poland. The majority of regions - particularly outside of the traditional tourist destinations and far from big cities - will have to base their diversification on more pillars than tourism.</abstract>

The Tourist Potential of Rural Areas in Poland

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Having many years' experience in rural studies, the authors propose their own understanding of the Siberian communities' future assuming the multifunctional character of rural communities and multiplicity in the rural economy and way of life as well as considering an objective to develop human resources as a priority. Three correlated issues are under study: is a rural territory homogeneous as a subject for strategic planning, what is the object for strategic planning in rural communities and should the paradigm of strategic development be inevitably changed from a medium-range perspective to a long-range one?</abstract>

The Development of Agriculturein the Siberian Communities of Russia

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A sample survey of small and medium-sized farms in Moldova is used to examine the prevalence of different aspects of an "entrepreneurial outlook" in a post-communist transitional economy. Within the range of less than 1 to 100 hectare farms, the most pronounced differences are that operators of larger farms have greater "technical knowledge" of different aspects of high value agricultural production and sales as well as having a greater willingness to deal with "uncertainty and debt."</abstract>

Entrepreneurial Attitudes in a Post-Communist Transitional Rural Economy: The Case of Moldova

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This article discusses popular explanations for the demise of farm enterprises in Mongolia, such as: reduced state funding, corrupt and self-interested rural elites, and the (supposed) drastic central privatisation policy. It argues that these factors are insufficient to explain the collectives' demise, as they are largely true also for Russia, where no widespread break-up of farm enterprises took place. Farm enterprises in Russia, despite financial difficulties, show remarkable resilience as large-scale units. A tendency which can be observed in general, as well as in most of the regions bordering Mongolia with a similar type of (semi) - pastoralist livestock farming, Therefore, this article takes a look at the level of the Mongolian farm enterprise, and considers the socio-economic specifics of these enterprises to discover the incentives for employees and managers to disband (or leave) these enterprises. In doing so it pays attention to formal structures and informal social structures related to property and production, within a tentative comparison with Russia.</abstract>

Institutional Transformation in the Agricultural Sector of the former Soviet Bloc

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 28 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 27 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 26 (2020): Issue 1 (December 2020)

Volume 25 (2019): Issue 1 (December 2019)

Volume 24 (2018): Issue 1 (December 2018)

Volume 23 (2017): Issue 1 (December 2017)

Volume 22 (2016): Issue 1 (December 2016)

Volume 21 (2015): Issue 1 (December 2015)

Volume 20 (2014): Issue 1 (December 2014)

Volume 19 (2013): Issue 2013 (December 2013)

Volume 18 (2012): Issue 2012 (January 2012)

Volume 17 (2011): Issue 2011 (January 2011)

Volume 16 (2010): Issue 2010 (January 2010)

Volume 15 (2009): Issue 2009 (January 2009)

Eastern European Countryside

 Eastern European Countryside - printed volumes 23'2017 and 24'2018 - task financed under the agreement 785/P-DUN/2017 with funds Minister of Science and Higher Education for dissemination of science activities.  Eastern European Countryside - digital volumes 24'2018 and 25'2019 - task financed under the agreement 706/P-DUN/2018 with funds Minister of Science and Higher Education for dissemination of science activities.   Developed by Institute of Sociology at Nicolaus Copernicus University as an international platform for the sociological discourse on Eastern and Central European countryside developments, EEC publishes research on CEE countryside rather than research by CEE researchers. The journal covers social theory and analysis on two levels: comparative research on European countryside, and CEE countryside in international perspective. Concentrating on the present, EEC articles examine themes reflecting recent and significant changes in CEE countryside from a cross-disciplinary view point. The journal is essential reading for all sociologists, economists, political scientists and social policy analysts wishing to keep abreast of the very latest debates in this part of Europe.  The aim of the EEC is to provide a medium for the publication of original papers covering the entire span of sociological thought and research concerning Central and Eastern European countryside. The Editors are particularly keen to publish work on current developments in research and analysis.  Why subscribe and read  EEC is the only periodical dealing with countryside change in Central and Eastern Europe (countries which underwent a fundamental system transformation after 1989, abandoning socialism for a democratic system based on the free market economy). It presents the process of change in the legislative, organizational, economic, social areas, predicted consequences of these changes. Most of texts are about socio-economic, political, cultural phenomena in the lives rural communities undergoing change.  Why submit  EEC provides international circulation for research results and academic works generally published only in national Eastern and Central European countries languages and thus restricted within the borders of a particular country market.  The readership of the periodical – whose yearly circulation is between 100/200 copies is relatively wide. These are individuals and institutions in whole World (we have readers from Asia, Northern America and others) interested both in the progress of change process in the legislative, organizational, economic and social areas in Eastern and Central European Countries as well as the known and predicted consequences of these changes.   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 