Development in the last decade was characterized by economic, social and spatial shrinking. This phenomenon is observed in many Western and post-Soviet countries. In spite of the existence of wide-spread research and publications on shrinking the concept rarely are applied to rural areas outside metropolitan regions. Until now there is no national-level in-depth research or targeted policies towards shrinking phenomenon in Latvia. The aim of the study is to examine if and how the concept of population shrinkage is represented in Latvian rural ar eas, and how this phenomenon might be incorporated in spatial development of the country. The article explores the inconsistence of application of shrinking at the Latvian context. Theoretical concepts used in this research are the result of a review of the literature. Empirical research is carried out in seven local municipalities of the former Alūksne, Balvi and Gulbene districts in north-eastern Latvia by interviewing local government employees and analysing statistical data and policy documents. Spatial shrinking is wider concept than population decline by in corporating not only demographics but also drivers, outcomes and impacts of the process as well as governance, planning and policy response aspects. Our study indicates that whole Latvia, both its rural and urban spaces, has to be considered as shrinking territory that needs to prepare place-specific policies for different areas. The investigation results approve that Latvian countryside can be defined as typically shrinking. This process requires a change in attitude among decision-makers at both national and regional governmental levels. The scarcity and incompleteness of available data is reflective of the realities of regional policy implementation. Drivers of rural spatial shrinking are due to socio-economic structural changes and rescaling and consequent changes of former economic, social and cultural linkages. Shrinkage processes have an impact on rural social capital and services. Shrinking requires the need for a set of innovative; knowledge-, evidence-and place-based; coordinat ed; pro-active; multi-disciplinary; spatial; economic and socially-targeted policy measures.

The study was conducted with a purpose to find out a present role of the LEADER approach in development of the Latvian rural areas. The article consists of analysis of the LEADER approach in Latvia and other European countries, historical development and previously carried out evaluations of the LEADER results, the quantitative results for 2014-2020 period of the LEADER approach in Latvia. The Local Development Strategies (LDS) were analysed. Although the major needs of local communities identified by LAGs are linked to labour possibilities, infrastructure, knowledge and information, more important contribution of the LEADER projects was made in infrastructure development and not in strengthening of economic development. Nevertheless, the LEADER approach itself shows good results in facilitation of the local activities and thus looks perspective in future. It would be useful to use the multi-fund approach for the LAG support, which would facilitate development of the strategies according to local (community) needs. The LEADER place in the local development method is challenging for the next period.

Organic farming is experiencing rather rapid development in Europe, including in Latvia. This could be rated from different aspects. The purpose of this article is to assess the economic indicators of the development of organic farming, linking them to conclusions stated in various studies in Latvia and other countries on the diverse economic, social and environmental impact of this type of farming, as well as potential problems. So, theoretical and empirical approaches are combined in this article. The different problems we can state as outcome of the research. The farms concentrate in areas with less favourable conditions for conventional farming. Also, large continuous areas under organic farming often leads to low production value per hectare and do not reach social goals.

Purpose of the paper is to assess contribution of the European Fishery Fund (EFF) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in the development of coastal areas. The article reviews particulars of implementation of the Fishery Funds in various planning periods, in more detail analysing the implementation impact in the period of 2014-2020, based on analysis of the needs, goals and projects of the current period. Even though the European Fishery Fund (EFF) in Latvia is being implemented since 2007, there is a lack of scientific publications on its impact on the coastal development. EMFF for the period 2013-2020 has a dual role in the development of coastal areas-as a development tool of the fishery sector and as a development tool of communities in the fishery areas. It is implemented by using communityled local development (CLLD/LEADER) approach. In case of Latvia, a multi-fund approach-EFF/EMFF and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) is already being used for two planning periods. We conclude that the impact of EFF/EMFF on the development of coastal areas is more directed at development of infrastructure of the coastal communities but is less engaged in the fishery development matters-accordingly increasing other activities and preserving historic and cultural heritage for development of tourism and place of residence in the coastal area in interaction and in addition to EAFRD rural development measures of the coastal areas.

Rural development is associated with a variety of contexts. The attractiveness of the countryside forms a summary view of the factors that allow us to talk about the needs of the rural people to make the countryside attractive and economically viable for both locals and tourists. Within the framework of the PoliRural project, the attractiveness of rural areas is considered as a basis for the development of regional development policy. In the initial stage, the definition of rural attractiveness was based on the literature analysis and survey results. The aim of the study is to make improvements to the definition of rural attractiveness based on the contexts of rural development, regional development and rural typology. The study is based on an analysis of the literature, the needs of the pilot regions and the evaluation of selected policies. As a result, recommendations are made to policy makers. A mixed research method approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques was used to update the initial definition of rural attractiveness. The study conceptualizes the attractiveness of rural areas as a context-based, politically determined and everyday social construct. There is no single definition of rural attractiveness in this sense due to the diversity of cultural, social, territorial, different scales and economic conditions. However, there is reason to talk about a set of factors and contexts that need to be taken into account when designing rural development policy.