INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION
         IN SUPPORT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA

                          Carmen Năstase, Associate Professor PhD
                           “Ştefan cel Mare” University of Suceav
                                   carmenn@seap.usv.ro

                        Carmen Chasovschi, Associate Professor PhD
                          “Ştefan cel Mare” University of Suceava
                                   marianal@seap.usv.ro

                                Mariana Lupan, Lecturer PhD
                           “Ştefan cel Mare” University of Suceava
                                    marianal@seap.usv.ro


ABSTRACT: Globalization, migration trends, information’s, changes in rural policies and the
emergence of important non-farm niche markets put rural regions in direct competition
confronting them with threats and opportunities that require new policy approaches at the
national and sub-national level. Against this fast changing scenario, policy makers need to
re-think their priorities for rural investments. These research’s paper try to answer to key
questions: 1) What sectors hold potential for rural development? 2) What kind of investments
and policies can help release such potential? Evidence from across the OECD shows that the
capacity of regions, whether urban or rural, to support processes of learning and innovation
is a key source of competitive advantage. Innovation in rural areas can be about ‘doing
traditional activities in a new way’, about starting up new businesses or about changing the
way government interacts with citizens. In all these cases innovation is strongly linked with
social processes such as the creation of networks, the strengthening of local identities, and
the creation and dissemination of knowledge.

Keywords: innovation, support of development, technology platforms

JEL Codes: O10, O20, O30, O31