Strategic Priorities in Rural Development of Local Communities in the Republic of Serbia

The commitment of the Republic of Serbia towards European integration requires a slightly different approach in defining the role and importance of sustainable development, from that used in documents and practice so far. Hence the need to develop a concise framework in the form of a special document – Strategy, as an answer to key questions for further sustainable development of local communities in Serbia. The policy of such a development should adjust to the CAP in the EU, in which more focus is laid on the development of rural areas. Sustainable development of each community should be strategically planned and directed in order to move from the current condition towards the condition desirable in the future. Local communities in Serbia have realized the importance of planning in the time to come, so they strive to produce sustainable development Strategies in order to balance three key factors, i.e. three pillars of sustainable development: sustainable development of economy, trade and technology; sustainable development of society on the basis of social balance; the environment protection with the rational use of natural resources. Sustainable development also includes the coordination of various development aspects and opposing motives in the programs of certain sectors (social, economic and environmental). This paperwork emphasis is put on the municipality Apatin (local community from the territory of West-Bačka District, which administratively belongs to the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina) and its model of sustainable development2. With the sustainable development strategy, as long-term development document, on a scientific basis, key strategic development goals have been set for the following period. These were established by taking into consideration the existing natural and man-made potentials, available human resources, current development trends, current and anticipated problems and difficulties, detailed analysis and environmental impact assessments. On this basis, the most favorable, realistically achievable future development options have been proposed, largely based on the rural development in order to promote the agricultural sector competitiveness, economic diversification and environment protection. The Strategy of sustainable development of the municipality Apatin represents a long-term, synergetic, goal-orientated process, which affects all the aspects of local people’s life. The strategic goals and priorities of rural development of municipality Apatin, presented in this paperwork, are highly universal and represent mid-term view on a vision. They actually represent the answer to the question “What do we wish to achieve?” having in mind the resources at our disposal.