At the invitation of the organizers, I recently attended the round table “Rural Development Through the Perspective of Youth: Sociological, Demographic and Economic Aspects,” held on May 28, 2025, in Trebinje, as part of the program of the International Symposium of Agricultural Sciences – AgroRes 2025. In light of everything I heard at this important gathering, I would like to offer a brief sociological reflection on the key themes and challenges that were highlighted during the discussion.
The rural environment – that is, the village – has traditionally held a central place in the sociocultural and economic life of our society. Historically, the village was the place where social norms were formed, family and communal values maintained, and cultural identity transmitted. Today, however, rural areas are undergoing significant transformations under the influence of urbanization, migration, globalization, and social change.
In the case of Republic of Srpska, rural areas are not merely an economic category, but also bearers of cultural, historical, and national identity. Yet, due to demographic losses and the increasingly frequent migration of young people to urban centres, the village is losing its function as a social integrator. This leads to weakened social cohesion and the erosion of collective identity. At the same time, the issue of generational renewal is becoming one of the greatest social and political priorities. Without young families, children and an active workforce, the village cannot survive as a living and sustainable social organism.
It is precisely the rural areas that can offer conditions for the formation and retention of young families: accessible land, lower living costs, closeness to nature and space for innovation and entrepreneurship. If the village is recognized as a place for living – and not merely for production – it can become the foundation of generational renewal in Republic of Srpska.
Although the economic aspect of youth emigration is often emphasized, research and field observations show that many young people choose to migrate due to the lack of social dynamism, cultural content, and opportunities for personal and professional development in rural areas.
The modernization of the rural space is often perceived as a process that threatens the traditional way of life. Yet these two dimensions are not necessarily in conflict. On the contrary, through innovations in agriculture, the digitalization of local economies, the development of eco-tourism and support for creative industries, it is possible to strengthen rural communities and present the village as a space of contemporary development, rather than as one of stagnation and atrophy.
One of the greatest social challenges is changing the societal perception of the village. Instead of being seen as a passive, isolated, and dysfunctional environment, the village must be redefined as a space of social innovation, cultural creativity and active youth engagement. It is precisely in this context that the village assumes a new role—not only as a foundation for cultural and economic renewal, but also for the biological and demographic recovery of society.
A positive example is MMA – the Network of Young Agro-Entrepreneurs – which, with the professional and other forms of support from the Center for Socio-Political Research of Republic of Srpska, through networking, knowledge exchange and modernization of production processes, demonstrates that rural areas can indeed be spaces of social and economic vitality. This network empowers young people to remain in rural areas and build their future in harmony with local resources and global trends.
The modern concept of rural development must be based on a decentralized and inclusive approach. Institutions should not serve solely as sources of financial incentives, but also as creators of social policies that encourage the active participation of young people in local decision-making processes. Encouraging examples, such as the initiatives of the local community in Šekovići, show that partnerships between young leaders, municipal authorities, and Republic-level institutions can contribute to building sustainable models of rural life.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Republic of Srpska, through incentives and programs aimed at youth, plays a significant role in strengthening the capacities of villages and creating conditions in which young people can see the rural environment as their chosen place – not merely a compromise.
Sustainable rural development requires a sociological re-examination of the village as a social space. The village must be understood as a dynamic, open and functional environment that offers equal opportunities as the urban setting. It should become a place where new generations will not only live but also plan their future.
Without systematic institutional support, active youth engagement and cooperation with local communities, rural areas will continue to face demographic decline and social marginalization.
However, through social innovation, upward mobility, intersectoral collaboration, and strong support for generational renewal, the village can become a strategic resource for social development and the preservation of the identity of Republic of Srpska.
For all the reasons outlined above, the Center for Socio-Political Research of Republic of Srpska, in accordance with its mandate, will continue to provide active professional support in the process of rural development – not only through its support for the MMA (Network of Young Agro-Entrepreneurs), but also through the strategic guidance of policies that promote the socio-economic stability essential for the generational renewal of the village as a better place to live.