<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The energy-efficient low-carbon EU economy (known as the 20-20-20) sets fundamental objectives in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (20%), increasing the share of renewable energy sources (20%) and saving primary energy consumption (20%). The objectives are incorporated in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). Slovakia has to increase the share of renewable energy sources (RES) by 14% in its energy mix by 2020. Currently, the most widely used RES are water and solar energy, biomass and biogas. Our country has suitable ecological conditions for growing the so called energy crops in lowland and upland areas. So far, however, there is a lack of science-based information on the potential production of biomass in different soil-ecological and climatic conditions of the Slovak Republic. Our experimental research is focused on quantification of biomass production of various willow (genus <italic>Salix</italic>), poplar (genus <italic>Populus</italic>) and silvergrass (<italic>Miscanthus sinensis</italic>) varieties grown in ecological conditions of southern Slovakia. We evaluated the biomass production of the studied crops. The results were evaluated in terms of the EU call (2013): to obtain more energy while reducing inputs and negative environmental impacts.</abstract>

Fast-Growing Energy Crops Grown In Conditions Of Slovakia In The Context Of The EU Energy Policy

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of the study is to identify opportunities and constraints of the development of companies whose business is based on the exploitation of natural resources resulting from their location in areas of natural value. The study area consisted of 40 municipalities. Five companies were selected for the study in each municipality. The study used the method of diagnostic survey using a questionnaire interview. The results obtained give rise to a finding that economic activity based on the use of local natural resources, taking into account the need to protect the natural environment, is a legitimate direction and an opportunity for the development of local economies of areas of natural value. However, given the limitations of economic activities in natural valuable areas, it requires support, mainly with information and finance. The most important limitations of economic activities in natural valuable areas include the lack of preferential financial instruments, difficulties of the investment process and the lack of financial compensation for profits lost due to the location.</abstract>

Location On Natural Valuable Areas As A Condition For The Development Of Enterprises Based On The Use Of Natural Resources – The Lublin Voivodeship (Poland)

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A well-balanced relationship between economic and social progress is the main prerequisite of rural community stability. Economic development is influenced by many factors. Some of these are statistically discoverable and quantifiable, while others, which fall within the sphere of social relations and their identification, are more difficult to measure and interpret. Czech rural areas face many problems which arise from their specific features – socio-demographic structure, job possibility of various social groups, provision of the proper level of public services, transport accessibility, etc. However, there is no direct connection between economic factors and mutual relations within the rural community. Values, opinions and the behavioural patterns of people are immediately displayed in a locality, but their character is shaped by the regional and national assumptions of every stage of development. Contributions are drawn from the accessible literature and secondary data of empirical research projects.</abstract>

Social Aspects Of Rural Community Development

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of this paper is to study and to highlight the applicative and interpretive limits of the GDP per capita indicators, when regional economics of the new member countries (EU13), particularly the process of integration of their regions into EU economy is examined in terms of the beta and sigma convergence. The growth of gross domestic product has long been pursued as the main objective of the economic activities of countries and regions. Its growth is seen as almost a guarantee of the proper functioning of the economy. The governments of individual countries, in the event of a decline in GDP, take measures for its recovery. Small attention, however, is given to the fact, whether such an economic development copes with the parameters of sustainable economic growth. Also, little attention is paid to the study of how the previous growth is reflected in the standard of living of the population and households in respective countries and regions.</abstract>

The Economic Integration Of The EU13 Regions Into EU Economy During The 2004–2013 Period

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The recent financial crises that started in the USA and spread all over Europe highlighted the importance of research in the field of financial culture. A variety of research projects pointed out that the general population’s financial literacy is lacking basic knowledge. The ever changing economic climate, demographic changes, tendencies in the financial processing sector and the acceleration in product innovation put considerable pressure on the everyday decision making process of a household. The overview of the international and national research on the subject proves that the improving of the population’s, especially the young people’s financial literacy is a priority both in leading economic countries and in Hungary, too. The idea of financial culture is as complex as the variety of research into the topic proves it. This article aims to point out the complicated nature of the notion and the variety of research that has been inserted into it.</abstract>

Szechenyi Istvan Management and Business Administration Doctoral School Sopron, Hungary

University of West Hungary, Faculty of Economics Sopron, Hungary

Financial Literacy: Empirical Sociological Approaches

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Many ecosystem services do not pass through markets. Therefore, the benefits which ecosystems provide to society are largely unrecorded. Fast-growing woody crops represent a quite new and still insufficiently explored ecosystem of agricultural land which has a potential to provide several utility functions. It may contribute to satisfaction of human needs and may enhance regional health. The goal of this paper was to detect the socio-economic importance of associated spontaneous vegetation in plantations of the energy crops (hybrids of the genera <italic>Salix</italic>) and to compare it with the socio-economic importance of adjacent permanently cultivated agricultural field. There was examined the therapeutic, melliferous, feed, allergenic and toxic potential of undergrowth for each experimental plot inside the SRC plantations. The research was carried out on the agricultural land formerly used for growing cereals and root crops – the research base Kolíňany. Our results showed that energy plantation understoreys can be assumed to be the better option for contribution to the total socio-economic value of a region than agricultural fields.</abstract>

Socio-Economic Importance Of Associated Plant Species In Short Rotation Coppice Plantations

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Volume 16 (2019): Issue 2 (November 2019)

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Volume 15 (2018): Issue 2 (November 2018)

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Volume 10 (2013): Issue 2 (December 2013)

Volume 10 (2013): Issue 1 (July 2013)

Acta Regionalia et Environmentalica

Journal "Acta regionalia et environmentalica" is a scientific journal of the Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra.The journal consists of original scientific papers and it is published twice a year.  Why subscribe and read  The journal Acta regionalia et environmentalica is an excellent source of research papers related to the area of regional, rural and environmental studies.  Why submit  The journal Acta regionalia et environmentalica offers unique opportunity for authors to place their papers in a scientific journal of high quality and by this way it provides a platform for knowledge exchange.  Rejection Rate   25%   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. 