Programme: Scientific Research Fund

This project aims to conduct a fundamental scientific study of cultural and social processes in regions affected by depopulation, through a comparative analysis of Northwestern Bulgaria and Central Slovakia. Depopulation is approached as a complex phenomenon with profound effects on demographic structures, social relations, cultural practices, and the sustainability of local communities. The project places particular emphasis on the human and cultural dimensions of these processes, which are often marginalised in predominantly economic and demographic analyses.
The research focuses on the dynamics of social organisation, ethnoconfessional interactions, transformations of livelihood models, and changes in the cultural landscape under conditions of long-term demographic decline. Special attention is given to the impact of migration, population ageing, and digital transformations on everyday life in the selected regions. The study explores both local adaptive strategies and the risks of deepening social and territorial inequalities.
Methodologically, the project adopts an interdisciplinary approach that combines qualitative methods from ethnology and cultural anthropology with the analysis of historical, archival, and demographic data. The comparative perspective between Bulgaria and Slovakia enables the identification of similarities and differences in local responses to depopulation and in institutional practices addressing these challenges.
The project is implemented within a framework of bilateral academic cooperation between Bulgarian and Slovak researchers and seeks to develop a scientifically grounded model for the study of depopulating regions. The expected outcomes include scholarly publications, public lectures, and the dissemination of results in academic and educational contexts, as well as a contribution to the development of informed policies for sustainable regional development, social inclusion, and the preservation of cultural heritage.