1247 | 691 | Newcomers as agents of changes in rural areas: case of Latvia | Zenija Kruzmetra
Different parallel and concurrent processes are taking place in rural territories in Latvia – depopulation, shrinking, loss of functions in communities and different innovative activities – rebirth of places, rebuilding and empowering of communities, creation of community cooperation networks, integration of newcomers, a number of forms of endogenous/neo-endogenous/nexogenous development._x000D_
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This research as the part of National Research Program project VPP-LETONIKA-2021/4-0002 “Cutting-edge knowledge and solutions to study demographic and migration processes for the development of Latvian and European society (DemoMigPro) focuses on the evaluation of the effect of newcomers in various territories in Latvia as well as newcomer integration._x000D_
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The research data was collected using a qualitative social research approach – case studies in remote rural communities that included semi-structured individual and group interviews with newcomers, municipality representatives, and local activists._x000D_
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Despite the fact, that newcomers in EU rural areas is understudied field (Natale, F et.al., 2019), research results reveal not only newcomers` multiple positive impact on rural areas, but also reveal new challenges and preconditions for newcomer integration. Case studies results of remote rural territory in Latvia highlight the meaning of the development of socially responsible, competent communities in remote areas as one of most significant preconditions of newcomers’ integration. Newcomers are a significant human resource asset for any rural community, especially in remote and depopulated rural areas. Such social benefits as newcomers’ experience, knowledge, activity, willingness to take risks and responsibility, etc. are very useful for local communities, which later also create an economic contribution to the community/place._x000D_
Zenija Kruzmetra
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development
ID Abstract: 691