37 Agricultural University – Plovdiv AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Volume 14 Issue 34 2022 DOI: 10.22620/agrisci.2022.34.005 THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL BASIS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TERRITORIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA Marina A. Nikolova*, Marusya V. Linkova, Pavlin B. Pavlov, Elitsa L. Krasteva Tsenov Academy of Economics Svishtov, Bulgaria *corresponding author’s e-mail: m.nikolova@uni-svishtov.bg Abstract Rural areas in Bulgaria have an untapped potential, both in the use and protection of available resources and their socio-economic development, and for generation of additional income. Their sustainable development would balance the economic, social, and environmental growth and significantly improve the rural quality of life. The aim of this study is to identify the theoretical and methodological foundations for the management of sustainable development of rural areas in Bulgaria. On the basis of the general scientific methods of induction, deduction and translation, content analysis, and critical analysis of documents and literature sources, the following are reasoned: 1) the theoretical foundations of sustainable development; 2) the strategic framework for sustainable development; 3) the problems in defining the rural territories; 4) the development of alternative tourism as a good practice for the diversification of the functional use of the territory. The article argues that the management of sustainable development is based on the collaboration between the authorities, local communities and businesses for the diversification in the functional use of the territory and the optimal utilization of available resources. Keywords: sustainable development, rural areas, strategic framework, diversification INTRODUCTION Since the end of the 20 th century and the beginning of the 21 st century, sustainable development has been the focus of global policies and strategies. The problems related to sustainable territorial development have been the subject of numerous studies in the specialized literature (Doichinova & Stoyanova, 2020), (Doitchinova & Stoyanova, 2014), (Kunchev I. , Dojchinova, Miteva, & Stanimirova, 2013), (Simeonov, Nikolova, Linkova, & Pavlov, 2012), (Nikolova, Linkova, & Ferhad, Problemi i perspektivi v ustojchivoto razvitie na agrobiznesa v Bulgaria, 2014), (Linkova M. , 2013), (Pavlov P. , 2013) and others. The adaptation of the organizational structures in agriculture to the dynamic changes of the market environment has been studied by Kanchev, Nikolova, Linkova, and others, emphasizing the coordination between the subjects in the production and sale of agricultural products (Kunchev & Dojchinova, 2020) (Nikolova M. , 2013) (Linkova, Nikolova, & Lazarova, 2016) (Nikolova M., 2013) (Nenova, 2016) (Pavlov P., 2015). Structural changes and regional models of agriculture are the subjects of attention in Doichinova's, Stoyanova's publications, and others (Doichinova & Stoyanova, 2020) (Stanimirov & Stanimirova, 2014) (Nikolova М., Problems and opportunities for realization of Bulgarian organic production, 2019) (Nikolova М., 2020) (Doitchinova, Miteva, & Zaimova, 2019) (Nikolova M., 2017). Despite the growing interest in the analysis and assessment of the consequences and interactions between government and business organizations, it is necessary to conduct more in-depth research. It is imperative to develop a methodology for the effective implementation of the institutional and territorial approach in