While the model is based on a theory of change, which reflects a growing initiative to establish a national Romanian model of outreach and engagement, this overall endeavor has the potential to establish a paradigm shift in the Romanian university system to drive valuable research into the collaborative realm with rural farming communities. The Romanian agricultural landscape provides a rich heritage worthy of preserving and the capacity for significant growth and viability within the European market. Therefore, it is exciting to be a host institution that provides Romanian scholars the space, time, resources, and structure to thoughtfully and critically explore avenues through which a national model can be established. The objectives for this project are 1) for UGA to serve as a host institution that provides a rich and fully immersive semester-long experience in Georgia’s statewide UGA Extension system, and 2) for Fulbright-RAF Scholars to be fully equipped to actively engage in the design and implementation of programming focused on rural economic development in Romania.
Funder: Council on International Educational Exchange
Amount: $105,000
PI: Abigail Borron