RJLSS 2024

Poverty was and is still present in all societies and in all times. Regardless of whether we are referring to countries or regions, counties or cities, poverty has made its presence felt in these areas as well. Also, the distribution of poverty between rural and urban has always highlighted large differences in the incidence of poverty, which have affected a large part of the population in these areas. It is well known that rural poverty is high, the gaps between rural and urban are significant in terms of poverty risks and thus, the reduction of poverty in rural areas represents still a major challenge for national and local strategies and action plans in the field. Although many studies have been carried out regarding poverty and rural poverty in the specialized literature, showing the high incidence especially in the Romanian rural area, the challenge of the present paper focuses on the identification of those Romanian rural localities that have succeeded to reach low rates of poverty and to become good

The labour market is an essential part of the economy, and some argue it might be a barometer of its health. The labour market is also a central figure of the Europe 2020 Strategy, the target for the employment rate for the 20-64 age group being set at 75% in the case of the EU and 70% in the case of Romania. Our research shows that Romania has the best chance of reaching this goal. At the regional level, the Nord-Est region stands out, with the highest employment rate for the entire period, while at the opposite pole we found the Centru region. At the same time, the unemployment rate in Romania was lower than the average of the European Union during 2007-2018. Unfortunately, the participation rate in active employment measures during 2007-2016 was downward, calling for measures in this area.

In this article, we aimed to analyse the social priorities and directions of public policies for reconstruction of Ukraine. We focused on the relationships between labour market stability, social protection and long-term resilience. We aimed to examine how urgent measures during the war can be correlated with the country's reconstruction strategies, to ensure sustainable development and social cohesion. We addressed long-term social priorities and problems specific to the war period, highlighting the need to ensure a balance between the crisis and structural reforms. It is important to maintain the sustainability of employment and social protection in conditions of instability. Another important moment we considered the analysis of Ukraine's socio-economic stabilization policies from the perspective of sustainable development, with a focus on the analysis of the socio-economic and humanitarian consequences of the military invasion, labour market disruptions and increased social vulnerabilities. At the end of the paper, we focused on the directions of socio-economic policy aimed at increasing the quality of life and strengthening social protection. Therefore, the reconstruction of Ukraine needs strategies and policies that could combine long-term strategies to ensure inclusive economic and social security.

In rural areas, women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in fostering community development, contributing significantly to economic progress and social unity. Nevertheless, within a technology-dominated era, the significance of digital skills is rising, becoming indispensable for success in a swiftly evolving economic environment. Consequently, it is essential to investigate how female entrepreneurs in rural areas are adjusting and improving their digital competences. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to identify the current training requirements and gaps in digital skills and competencies among rural women in Romania. To achieve the intended objective, we conducted a comprehensive analysis involving desk research, statistical data examination, interviews with female entrepreneurs in rural areas, and discussions with entrepreneurship trainers. The findings indicated that Romania is confronted with low levels of digital skills, particularly among individuals with lower education levels and those living in rural areas. This situation also hinders the prospects of women within these demographics from engaging in successful entrepreneurial endeavors.