Description
The strategies for implementing local development policies have been discussed in professional circles as well as in the public. The main topics of the project are selected issues in local development policy. The research topics are of high importance in Slovakia and Norway and will be implemented in the teaching process. The aim of the project is to establish a long term active partnership Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia and Sogn og Fjordane University College, Norway focusing on exchanges of students and academic staff, common research interests, preparation of joint scientific papers and publications, workshops, etc. Donor partner, Faculty of Social Sciences, Sogn og Fjordane University College is an equal project partner fully participating in all project activities. The results of the partnership will contribute to higher quality of management procedures in local governments in Slovakia and Norway, which will have access to materials of common research, experiences of good practice. This knowledge will be useful during problem solving and creating of networks and partnerships in rural areas with specific focus on biomass usage as renewable resource of heat and electric power.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to establish a long-term active collaboration between Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica and Sogn og Fjordane University College focusing on exchanges of students and academic staff, common research interests, preparation of joint scientific papers and publications, workshops, etc. Thematically, the project was oriented to selected areas of local development policies in Norway and Slovakia. The attention was concentrated on comparative research of three main issues: building networks and partnerships in rural areas, monitoring the performance and financial situation of local governments and bioenergy local production systems in rural areas. These issues are involved in new joint teaching materials and common book publication that were prepared during the project. Educational DVD was created and tested for 6 lessons. From the joint research, a professional book publication entitled "Local development policies in small countries - a comparative review of Norway and Slovakia" was created. 5 joint papers were published at international scientific conference. Four Slovak students and 3 PhD students attended a seminar and workshop organized in Norway and 2 Norwegian students attended a seminar and workshop organized in Slovakia. During the implementation of the project, 10 Slovak and 7 Norwegian academics were mobilized to acquire new expertise, as well as cultural and linguistic enrichment. All participants highly appreciated the high level of professional meetings, seminars, workshops on which other institutions (from practice) also actively participated. The students appreciated the possibility of finalizing their bachelor/master/PhD thesis, which would not be possible if the project would not be supported. Partnership of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica and Sogn og Fjordane University College brought fruitful research cooperation and has built basis for student and academic exchanges within signed Erasmus+ and Memoranda on Cooperation was signed. Partner cooperation continues in the area of entrepreneurship research (young people in rural areas).
Summary of bilateral results
Donor project partner, Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal, Norway was an equal partner involved in all project activities. Representative of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica visited donor partner in September 2014 with the aim of preparation of joint project proposal. The preparatory visit was funded from the bilateral funds. Partners organised seminars and workshops for students, PhD students and academics. Joint scientific articles and book publication will be used by both universities. Teaching aid, an educational DVD containing presentations and database bridges was prepared and tested in 6 lectures. All participants strongly appreciated high professional level of project meetings, seminars, workshops where also other institutions were included. In addition, students appreciate their student bachelor/master/Ph.D. thesis improvement, which will not be possible if this project would not be supported.