There are significant economic, social and infrastructural disparities inside Hungary at the regional level and the differences did not decrease since the democratic transition in 1990. As one of the main goals of the European Union is to minimalize the territorial disparities, the new member states were optimistic about the new perspectives provided for them after the accession. Hungary became eligible for Structural Funds support in 2004 and the actors in the field of regional development foreseen significant decrease of these disparities. However the results and experiences of the first 10 years are ambivalent. In this paper I tried to find a few of the connections between the successful or less successful utilization of the development resources from the EU and the level of economic development.
Magyarország kormánya 2015-ben nagyszabású városfejlesztési projektcsomagot indított el Modern városok program címmel. A fejlesztésekről a 23 megyei jogú város polgármesterei külön-külön találkozókon egyeztek meg a kormányfővel 2015 és 2017 között. A program teljes költségvetése mintegy 3400 milliárd forint, az abban szereplő fejlesztések a kormányzati tervek szerint 2022-ig befejeződnek. A programot elemző kutatásban az alábbi szempontok szerint vizsgáltuk a fejlesztési programot: a program európai és hazai területfejlesztési politikában betöltött szerepe, a központi költségvetésre és az önkormányzati forrásokra gyakorolt hatásai, a gazdaságfejlesztéshez és újraiparosításhoz való hozzájárulása, a program mint új városfejlesztési rezsim. A hazai területfejlesztés elmúlt évszázadában nem találtunk olyan városfejlesztési programot, mely filozófiájában és költségvetési volumenében hasonlítható lenne a Modern városok programhoz. A program előképe elsősorban az 1960-as években megjelenő, de napjainkban is gyakran alkalmazott francia etatista-dirigista megközelítés, hiszen jelentős hasonlóságot mutatnak az alkalmazott eszközök és módszerek, így pl. a tervszerződések rendszere, a központi finanszírozás és döntéshozatal. A program újszerű városfejlesztési rezsimként történő értelmezése ugyanakkor nem bizonyított: az ehhez szükséges, széles körű társadalmi bevonás alapján közösen kialakított fejlesztési célkitűzések nem voltak tapasztalhatók. A program fontos fókusza a gazdaságfejlesztés: gyakorlatilag valamennyi város érintett az iparfejlesztéssel, gazdaságfejlesztéssel kapcsolatos intézkedésekben. Az elmúlt évek megyei jogú városokat érintő kormányzati döntései közül a program meghatározó fejlesztési forrásokat biztosít az érintettek számára, városonként átlagosan kb. 150 milliárd Ft értékben valósulnak meg fejlesztések. In 2015, the Hungarian government launched a major urban development project package called Modern Cities Programme. The mayors of the 23 cities with county rights agreed on the projects in separate meetings with the head of government between 2015 and 2017. The total budget of the programme is about HUF 3400 billion, and according to the government's plans, the developments will be completed by 2022. The development programme was analysed in terms of its contribution to European and national spatial development policy, its impact on the central budget and sources of local government, its contribution to economic development and reindustrialisation, and its suitability as a blueprint for a new urban development regime. On the basis of the research results, it can be said that in the last century of Hungarian spatial development there is no urban development programme whose philosophy and budget volume is comparable to that of Modern Cities. Similar project characteristics were only found in the French state-directed programmes that emerged in the 1960s. They are still widely found today because they are very similar as to their instruments and methods, such as the system of design contracts, the importance of central funding and decision-making. However, the interpretation of the programme as a new urban regime went too far: The development goals formulated jointly on the basis of far-reaching citizens' participation showed no immediately identifiable results. As one of the programme's priorities is economic growth, practically all cities are involved in industrial and economic development measures. Among the recent government decisions taken on behalf of cities with county rights, the programme provides crucial development resources for the 23 cities, averaging HUF 150 billion per city. The central budget for the implementation of the programme in 2015 included HUF 25 billion, HUF 50 billion in 2016, HUF 152 billion in 2017 and HUF 150 billion in 2018. These amounts represent 0.41% of GDP in 2017 and 0.37% in 2018. The financial data suggest that, contrary to some opinions, funding of the programme was sufficient in spite of its disproportionate size. In conjunction with this 3400 billion HUF programme, the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme (TOP) provides approximately HUF 400 billion for other or related developments of the 23 cities. It is worth noting that the volume of government consolidated debt from the 23 cities corresponds to the entire volume of urban development resources of the Operational Programme. Against this background, the government subsidies made available for cities with county rights are significant.
The cooperation of the highly developed western European countries has led to significant success, mainly after the establishment of the European Union. The original goals, peace, prosperity and human rights were assured. However, the inner conflicts of the system have been producing operational difficulties time to time. One of the main goals of the "Lisbon Process 2000" was to eliminate these operational problems, in order to strengthen competitiveness. The accession to the EU meant great opportunities to the new members, first of all in the field of environmental infrastructure development. The EU support and funds made it possible to the eastern European countries to reach the level of the h developed counties in a few years. But it's clear that the support systems are difficult, the regulations and conditions are very strict. On one hand, an effective national level regulation and management has to be required, on the other hand the professionalism of the beneficiaries has to be increased in the near future.
Trends and Dilemmas in the Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources.Due to the efforts in the interests of achieving the sustainable development several legislation have been born supporting the utilization of the renewable energy sources and within that the usage of biomass as a conditionally renewable energy source. At the time of creation of the directives there were less available practical experience. After consulting the studies published in our country and abroad in this line in this article we presented the changes of attitudes and opinions due to the expansion of knowledge.The purpose of this study is to present the local and global consequences of em-phasizing the utilization of the biomass as a conditionally renewable energy source and how much does it affect the fulfilment of the originally set goals.To prepare the study we used international and national publications as well as legal and statistical data published by the European Union and the United Nations on this subject. ; Trends and Dilemmas in the Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources.Due to the efforts in the interests of achieving the sustainable development several legislation have been born supporting the utilization of the renewable energy sources and within that the usage of biomass as a conditionally renewable energy source. At the time of creation of the directives there were less available practical experience. After consulting the studies published in our country and abroad in this line in this article we presented the changes of attitudes and opinions due to the expansion of knowledge.The purpose of this study is to present the local and global consequences of em-phasizing the utilization of the biomass as a conditionally renewable energy source and how much does it affect the fulfilment of the originally set goals.To prepare the study we used international and national publications as well as legal and statistical data published by the European Union and the United Nations on this subject.
In the recent decades, the Member States of the European Union have paid more and more attention to the environment and to a more efficient use of renewable energy sources to gain decent energy security. To tackle these problems, the European Union adopted the Europe 2020 strategy in March 2010, which wants to create more a resource-efficient, more competitive and greener Europe until 2020 on the basis of knowledge and innovation. In the strategy the EU undertake the obligation to fulfill the 20/20/20 goals in the field of energy policy. However, to do this multi-trillion forints and profitable investments are needed over several years, which neither the civil society nor the state cannot accomplish from their own resources, thus grants are necessary to fulfill the objectives. In the present article we intend to show that in the 2014-2020 period of EU development from which operative programs for which goals and what intensity of support will help to fulfill the main objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. In this study we investigate whether EU funds and supplemental national co-financing are expected or not, and what kind of projects can be supported.
A tanulmány célja a 2015-ben indult Modern városok program (MVP) iparfejlesztési elképzeléseinek kritikai elemzése a hazánkban kialakult függő piacgazdasági modell és a tartós gyengeségekkel küzdő fejlesztéspolitikai intézményrendszer tükrében. A gazdasági válság utáni Magyarországon a főáramú fejlesztéspolitikák kudarca, az ország gyenge felzárkózási teljesítménye növekvő érdeklődést eredményezett az alternatív gazdaságfejlesztési receptek iránt. Az új teret nyert developmentalista felfogás visszanyúl az erős állami beavatkozás ideájához, ezt azonban paradox módon olyan környezetben teszi, amelyben a gazdaság jelentős hányada külföldi beruházók kezében van, a hazai fejlesztéspolitika eszköz- és intézményrendszere pedig tartós és öröklődő gyengeségekkel küzd. A kormány és a fejlesztésre kijelölt megyei jogú városok külön megállapodásain nyugvó, uniós forrásokat újraelosztó Modern városok program projektszemléletű, vonásaiban a francia és a lengyel tervszerződésekhez hasonló (de azoknál gyengébb és esetlegesebb) fejlesztési eszközként, az új fejlesztési filozófia megtestesítőjeként jelent meg az állami cselekvésben. A program, bár elsősorban városfejlesztési eszköz, jelentős számban tartalmaz újraiparosításra irányuló vagy azt támogató fejlesztési célokat (77 projekt). A program elképzeléseit jelentős regionális különbségek fémjelzik. Az ország nyugati felében inkább a hagyományos fejlesztési eszközök alkalmazása és néhány tudásintenzív tevékenység letelepítésére irányuló törekvés figyelhető meg; a Dél-Alföldön és környezetében az endogén növekedési modell számára is kedvező komplex iparfejlesztési célok kerültek előtérbe; az ország ipari perifériáin azonban egyáltalán nem került sor igazi áttörést sejtető, előremutató fejlesztési célok megfogalmazására. Feltehető, hogy az MVP nyertesei elsősorban a már iparosodott vagy újraiparosodó térségek lesznek; a területi különbségek mérséklődése helyett a különbségek további növekedésére számíthatunk. A critical analysis of the Modern Cities Programme, a development programmelaunched by the Hungarian government in 2015, considers the reindustrialisation components as part of the debate on the varieties of capitalism (in particular the issue of Central and Eastern European dependent market economies) and the persisting institutional deficiencies in the Hungarian planning system. After the 2008 crisis, the low efficiency or failure of mainstream development policies and Hungary's poor convergence record have contributed to a growing interest in alternative development policies. The emerging development-policy vision is returning to the idea of strong state intervention, although paradoxically it continues to operate in an environment characterised by exceptionally high foreign participation in the economy, particularly in its most competitive segments. In addition, domestic development policy struggles with permanent and self-reinforcing institutional weaknesses that significantly reduce its effectiveness. The resulting re-centralisation has not only led to an increase in regional differences, but also to a further weakening of development institutions operating in cities and regions. Effective development systems (development coalitions and early-stage urban regimes) that are capable of setting and achieving coherent, systematic development goals exist only in a few select locations across the country. The Modern Cities Programme, essentially a redistribution of EU funds based on special agreements between the central government and the major Hungarian cities, is a project-based development agenda that somewhat resembles French and Polish planning contracts, albeit in a diluted and less coherent form. As an instrument of development policy, it fits into the new etatist development philosophy. Although the programme is predominantly an instrument of urban development, it also includes 77 projects directly or indirectly related to reindustrialisation. These initiatives focus mainly on improving transport links, developing specific sectors, vocational training, education and a limited R&D+I component. The programme characteristics vary greatly from region to region. In the western half of the country, traditional development instruments predominate with limited evidence of attempts at building up knowledge-intensive activities. In the Southern Great Plain, also complex industrial development goals are found that are conducive to endogenous growth, partly reflecting the lack of FDI in the region and a more SME-based development trajectory. The programme has not been able to realise favourable reindustrialisation initiatives in the peripheral industrial areas of Hungary. The fact that the programme tended to benefit 'winners' is likely to increase existing development gaps rather than reduce existing regional disparities.
As a result of the unfavourable global processes, the EU's ability to sustain a sufficient standard of living according to the share of the global GDP, is in real, perceptible danger. In order to avoid the gloomy scenario, and to handle the unpredictable risks the European Commission is getting framing new strategies. These long term conceptions contain priorities, which serve as guideline to reach the goals, objects proposed. To enhance the competitiveness of the EU there are several (direct and indirect) means to apply. One of these is the less known European Court of Auditors (ECA). The ECA –in the course of its functions –contributes to the financially effective, economical, efficient, regular and transparent priority oriented use of the sources of the EU-budget, and hereby catalyzing the development of the competitive features. Henceforth I represent the functional activity, work of the European Court of Auditors regarding the cohesion policy and the linkage to the general competitivness.
The adoption of the new multiannual financial framework for the period 2021-2027 is one of the most important questions in the EU nowadays. It always belongs to the most difficult and time-consuming decisions the member states have to make. Such a decision should represent several interest like the net contributor and net beneficiary states' aims, the willingness of the European Commission and the European Parliament to make the cooperation among the countries deeper and to extend the cooperation to new policy areas too. The EU's long term multiannual financial framework (MFF) influences and somehow defines the next years' yearly budget and the benefits the member states can receive from the common budget of the EU as well. The main spending numbers represents the importance of the different policy areas as the EU provides resources for the topics which will be in focus in the next seven years. The decision about the new MMF is more complicated than the earlier ones. As a result of the Brexit there will be a gap in the common budget. As at the beginning of the MFF negotiations the way and the exact date of the Brexit was not clear the whole process became less transparent and predictable. On the other hand, the EU planes to provide significantly more money to new priorities and goals like border security, competitiveness or foreign policy. It means that the two traditional beneficiary policy areas' (the CAP and the Cohesion spending) share should decrease within the common budget. This study examines the effects of this decrease on the CAP 2nd pillar, rural development.
The importance of green and renewable energy sources, as well as environmental awareness, is playing an increasing role in our lives as we move forward in time. Even at the conceptual level, it is already understandable and clear to most people what should or could be done to protect the Earth. The use of renewable energy sources, such as the energy of the sun, wind, water, and geothermal energy all contribute to the development of the environmental values of the individual and society, which is shaped by knowledge and moral convictions about the environment. As irresponsible energy-wasting behavior is unsustainable in the long run and can lead to the depletion of natural resources, the use of alternative energy sources can provide a solution to this global problem. For this reason, the main goal of the representative research is to examine the possibilities of using and applying green and renewable energy sources in the case of all 25 settlements of the micro-region of Gyöngyös in the region of Northern Hungary. A questionnaire survey was used as the primary research method, the aim of which is to explore the extent of local governments' investments in renewable energy sources, and what other methods these local governments contribute to the development of environmental awareness of the local population. Based on the results obtained, according to the investments of the local governments, solar energy (e.g. solar panels) is the most efficient energy source, which is closely followed by the use of biomass. Developments and investments related to renewable energy are implemented to a significant extent from domestic or European Union tender sources. The amount of renewable energy investments planned in the future is expected to be between HUF 10 and 25 million in the case of smaller local governments, and more than HUF 100 million in the case of larger local governments. ; A zöld- és megújuló enerigaforrások, valamint a környezettudatosság jelentősége egyre nagyobb szerepet játszik az életünkbe, ahogy haladunk előre az időben. Fogalmi meghatározás szintjén is, már a legtöbb ember számára érthető és egyértelmű, hogy mit kellene vagy lehetne tenni a Föld megóvása érdekében. A megújuló energiaforrások használata, mint pl. a nap-, szél-, folyóvizek energiája, illetve a geotermikus energia, mind hozzájárulnak az egyén és a társadalom környezeti értékrendjeinek fejlődéséhez, melyet a környezetről alkotott tudás és morális meggyőződés alakít ki. Mivel a felelőtlen energiapazarló magatartás hosszútávon nem fenntartható, és a természeti erőforrások kimerüléséhez vezethet, így az alternatív energiaforrások használata nyújthat megoldást erre a világméretű problémára. Ennek okán, a reprezentatív kutatás legfőbb célja, a zöld- és megújuló energiaforrások felhasználási és alkalmazási lehetőségeinek vizsgálata, az Észak-magyarországi régióban található Gyöngyösi járás mind a 25 településének esetében. Elsődleges kutatási módszerként kérdőíves megkérdezés került alkalmazásra, melynek célja, hogy az önkormányzatok megújuló energiaforrásokkal kapcsolatos beruházásainak mértékét feltárja, illetve, hogy ezek az önkormányzatok milyen egyéb módszerekkel járulnak hozzá a helyi lakosság környezettudattosságának fejlesztéséhez. A kapott eredmények alapján, az önkormányzatok beruházásai szerint a napenergia (pl. napelemek) a leghatékonyabb energiaforrás, amelyet szorosan követ a biomassza felhasználás. A megújuló energiához kapcsolódó fejlesztések és beruházások jelentős mértékben hazai vagy európai uniós pályázati forrásokból valósulnak meg. A jövőben tervezett megújuló energia beruházások összege, a kisebb önkormányzatok esetében várhatóan többnyire 10 - 25 millió forint között lesz, a nagyobb helyi önkormányzatok esetében pedig, több mint 100 millió forint.
