INSTITUTIONAL INNOVATIONS IN THE «FAR EASTERN FORMAT»: MANIFESTATION IN THE FOREST COMPLEX

The article examines the main instruments of the regional development policy used in the implementation of the "new model" of the development of the Far Eastern Federal District, analyzes the practice of their application in the forest complex. The influence of these instruments on some results of the activity of the forest complex of the FEFD and its main territories is considered. It was revealed that the parameters of the functioning of the forest complex demonstrate instability due to both the institutional impact and the dependence of the complex on the situation in the external market. The importance of the formation of goals for the development of the forest complex is shown based on taking into account both national interests and the development priorities of the regional economy.

POLICY FOR BALANCED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: POLICY SETTINGS ON REGIONAL LEVEL – EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE

Legally defined regional development is the process of identifying, promoting, managing and exploiting the development potential of the planned regions and areas with specific development needs. The policy of regional development is a system of goals, instruments and measures aimed at reducing regional disparities and achieving balanced and sustainable development of the Republic of North Macedonia. Following the adoption of the Law, activities and measures for its full implementation were carried out both at the central and regional level, creating necessary pre-conditions for achieving the policy objectives of balanced regional development: reduction of disparities in development levels between the eight planning regions, and reduction of the disparities in development levels within the planning regions. Experiences that are the result of more than twelve years of implementation of measures and activities to support balanced regional development allow identification of the main factors that enhanced successful implementation of regional development policy on a regional level in North Macedonia, at the same time identifying the conditions that constrained it. Both of these groups of factors are important for the answer to the questions: (i) Are the institutions on the regional level functional? and (ii) what should be improved? Therefore, this paper aims to give an overview of the institutions in charge of planning and implementation of the regional policy of the Republic of North Macedonia at the regional level – Council for Development of the Planning Regions and Centres for Development of the Planning Regions.

The regions in Bulgaria and the green economy - novelty or serious experience?

The report presents the regional development policy in Bulgaria after 2007 with focus of the stated and implemented support for application of a green economy transition’s instruments. The green economy is defined by relevant economic sectors and themes that add value to quality of life, reducing carbon emissions and creating jobs. Objective: to review the applying of instruments for transition to a green economy in the regions as part of regional development policy and promotion of the regions’ competitiveness. Methods: Descriptive analysis and review of documents were used; review of planning documents at regional and municipal level and analysis of the type of applied instruments for the transition to a green economy; comparative evaluation of the already applied instruments with the forecasts for the new programming period 2021-2027. Results: The applied in the period 2007 - 2020 instruments for supporting the transition to a green economy and their connection with the development of the regions in Bulgaria are traced. The results correlation of the already applied instruments with the approach envisaged in the programming period after 2021 has been assessed. Elements of the connection between transition readiness and the regions’ competitiveness are considered. Conclusions: Conclusions are drawn about the Bulgarian regions experience and capacities gained to exploit the potential and opportunities to increase competitiveness and well-being.