Conclusions

A short food supply chain is created when producers and final consumers realize they share the same goals, which can be achieved by creating new opportunities that strengthen local food networks.

Short food supply chain initiatives may bring benefits to farmers, increasing their value added and business stability, especially for smaller ones, which are facing problems to access markets on long and globalized chains at fair conditions. Consumers too may benefit from participating to short food supply chain initiatives, as they can often buy fresher and more diversified products at lower prices, with potential positive consequences on their health.

Quality and healthy local food is one of the main reasons for one’s personal participation in short food supply chains, and this is especially emphasized after pandemic.

During the pandemic, a lot of producers continued to work. Many of them adapted to the new conditions by starting own doorstep delivery or by joining someone existing delivery networks and services. They are also became more visible on social networks and through other forms communications. However, it was a challenge for some to find new solutions to sell and deliver food after they ran out usual sales channels at fairs or others public events.

We need a larger number of people who in this way provide food for themselves and their families in solidarity, it is necessary to regulate their legal status and make it easier for them to operate, improve financial investments in their development and strengthen visibility and recognition.

One of the biggest challenges for young people in rural and remote areas is to achieve equal opportunities in the context of personal and professional development.

Due to lack of opportunities, adequate services, difficult access to information and involvement in activities which are available mainly in urban areas young people are moving from small towns, from rural areas to larger cities in search of a better perspective.

What can we do to keep them and how to stop the trend of leaving?

This is a very complex issue, but municipal administration and NGO-s need to offer young people policies and programs to try to keep them here in our towns.

Every municipality and NGO has opportunities that can contribute to keeping young people in rural areas.

It is of great importance to continuously monitor and question youth needs in terms of service provision, and this is especially true of education and health services, transportation services, cultural and sports facilities.

It is also crucial to give them access to information and involvement in activities and decision making processes, with local and regional decision-makers, youth and youth associations, information centers, youth centers and youth clubs playing an important role. 

Digitalization is foremost a tool through the development and implementation of applications and platforms, it provides access to public services, education, and work opportunities. It has many benefits in the areas of public services – easier access after work hours, saves time, it’s cheaper, enables more time for public administration to deal with other work and it has an ecological dimension in reducing the use of papers. The digital solutions increase educational opportunities for the rural population and can boost the local economy, especially digital economy since the work in the digital economy is not tied to physical space.

Citizens in general give their support to digitalization in public services and other areas of life (in the area of banking, shopping, learning) but they believe that technologies can not replace human contact and physical availability of services. Especially in providing services to the elderly or marginalized groups with poor access to technology or adequate knowledge. Also, citizens see the danger of declining local trade or data theft. In going digital rural areas need to take this into account and search for solutions to overcome those threats (app for local producers, education of the population, implementing attractive local events and promoting local production).

When we are talking about smart cities or villages, it is not only the use of technology that makes them smart but finding innovative and efficient solutions for daily lives and preserving and improving ecological sustainability.

Optical infrastructure is one of the preconditions for the implementation of digital solutions and the development of digital economy and rural areas should be able to access financial funds for the development of this infrastructure.