Contemporary views on social participation in the context of sustainable development of rural landscape

Abstract

The equal treatment of environmental, social and economic problems in the concept of sustainable development is often understood improperly as the need to subordinate economic development to the demands of the environmental protection. This concept should take individuals and social groups into account, too. The article is a summary of views on the social participation in the context of the sustainable development concept. Its implementation should be based on neoendogenous mechanisms of development. Their essence is the stakeholders’ participation in forming and applying the development strategy in cooperation with other social actors, both local and external partners. Social capital resources are an important source of development potentials. The development of the whole country is not possible without the participation of local communities. The chances of creating conditions for sustainable development will be very difficult despite the available grants, funds and programs.