Evaluation of Multifunctionality Opportunities on the Individual Agricultural Holdings. A New Methodological Approach

Assuming the multifunctional character of the rural area implies the multiplication of roles that this territory has in the society. The new (ecological, socio-cultural etc.) roles are assumed as the rural society perceives their importance, as well as the benefits generated by this new vision, and is able to fructify the new opportunities (new occupations, funding sources and income sources) that it might benefit from. The openness to the multifunctional approach at the individual agricultural holding level is however conditioned by two main issues: – the human capital characteristics of holdings (age, education, occupation) can act as catalysts or constraints to the non-agricultural initiatives – the access to the funding sources both from the perspective of holding solvency in the face of potential creditors and of the lack of information on the funding opportunities of private initiatives from different national and/or European funds.