Implicarea tinerilor în procesul de dezvoltare rurală. Studiu de caz: comuna Ariniș, județul Maramureș

Abstract

This study examines the role and methods of youth involvement in the rural development process, using the commune of Ariniș, Maramureș County, Romania, as a case study. In the context of the chal­lenges faced by the Romanian rural environment, population aging, youth migration, limited access to infrastructure and services, this research analyzes the educational, economic, cultural, and civic dimen­sions that influence the participation of the younger generation in community revitalization. The method­ology consisted of an online survey conducted with a sample of 62 respondents aged between 14 and 35, residing in or originating from Ariniș.

The results highlight a perceived deficit in the quality of local education and in the cultural of­fer, a preference among youth for engagement in traditional, cultural, and ecological activities, and a recognition of education as a key driver of com­munity progress. The analysis also reveals both the leadership potential and initiative capacity of young people, as well as major internal barriers, including a lack of administrative vision and limited financial resources. The study presents recommendations for enhancing educational infrastructure, promoting entrepreneurial spirit, and establishing institutional frameworks to encourage youth participation, aim­ing to empower this demographic group as the pri­mary driver of sustainable rural development.