Work Package 2 - Learning for Social-Ecological Resilience
and Diffusion of Innovations
The School of Earth and the Environment of the University of Leeds
represented by Sigrid Stagl, coordinates work package two “Learning for
Social-Ecological Resilience and Diffusion of Innovations”. Under this
heading we developed a theoretical frame for analysing integrated rural
development within which three specific lines of research are followed up
empirically.
(1) Adoption of organic agriculture - Building on theories of social
psychology we investigate influences of formal and informal institutions,
individual and farm-related aspects on the adoption behaviour. A
quantitative survey is implemented in six CEE regions in Estonia, Hungary,
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia. The data will by analysed by the
use of agent-based simulations and statistical models.
(2) Rural tourism and resilience of regions - Case studies in Estonia,
Slovakia, and Slovenia on rural tourism investigate the relationships
between rural diversification strategies into tourism and the use and potential
overuse of natural resources. This is done by focusing on learning processes
and institutional change intrigued by recent shocks to the rural system. The
research methodology of this part is inspired by Holling’s work on resilience
and aims to address the reduction of vulnerability of the region. The PhD
projects of Veronika Chobotova and Romina Rodela are embedded in this
part of the work package.
(3) Geographic indication – A case study on the role of certification for food
quality investigates the role of institutions for geographic indication in
transition countries. CIRAD collaborates with the Hungarian sub-contractor
on this.