One of the features of the European Union’s funds redistribution, based on multiannual financial perspectives, is modification of legal and organisational frameworks related to the principles for transferring support to beneficiaries at the turn of subsequent perspectives. This may result in delays in funds distribution. Currently, this is the case of funds designated for enterprise development which is the focus of the article. The basic provisions that regulate transfer of money at the EU level were published only a few days before the new financial perspective started. While the basic provisions at the national level came into force after several months since the beginning of the eligibility period. Consequently, executory provisions and individual programmes are being developed only now.
This paper reports on the fundamental processes reshaping rural areas in Hungary. Using indicators of social composition of settlements, the first section demonstrates large-scale polarisation resulting in vast zones of social crisis on the peripheries. The proceeding sections explore that small villages in lagging areas have been in a situation of despair in the last decade and a half, partly because of the social and economic burden they had to cope with, and partly because of their meagre financial situation brought about by the contradictions of the Hungarian administrative system, fiscal policies and their marginal position in relation to their access to development funds. The last paragraph of the last section voices hopes concerning some second generation development policies targeting rural areas in general and lagging areas in particular with more focused policy instruments.The study refers to research material gained from the following projects.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.