Human capital and rural multifunctionality - a territorial overview – Romania’s case

The assumption of the multifunctional character of the rural area implies the multiplication of roles that this territory has in the society. The new roles (ecologic, socio-cultural, etc.) are assumed as far as the rural society perceives their importance, as well as the benefi ts generated by this new vision. The rural society should be able to fructify the new opportunities (new occupations, funding sources) resulting from assuming the new roles. The initial assumption was that the driving force of the change of vision is the human capital. Its characteristics, from the demographic aspect, to the educational and occupational characteristics and ending up with the psychological and perception characteristics with regard to the rural community future, can represent constraints or catalysts in assuming the multifunctional character of rural areas.