This research aims to identify the influence of fiscal policy, financial development and economic growth on the increase of renewable consumption in Romania. To achieve our objective, we employ bivariate regressions through the Autoregressive Distributed Lag method, over the 2000–2020 period, to examine these influences. We find clear evidence that the variables observed (implicit tax rate on energy, external debt stocks, real GDP per capita, environmental tax revenues from energy taxes, and market capitalisation of listed domestic companies) have significant effects on the use of renewable energy. Four unidirectional causal relationships were identified in the long run: two from independent variables towards the dependent variable and two from the dependent variables towards two other independent variables. The importance of this study is that its results can contribute to the finding of the most suitable solutions to improve renewable energy consumption in Romania and mitigate the impact of climate change. Consequently, the results of this study reveal significant conclusions and policy recommendations for Romania moving towards sustainable and green economic growth, through a balanced set of policies and measures smartly applied, accompanied by a solid rate of absorption of green funds.

National parks, such as Domogled-Valea Cernei and Cozia, alongside protected areas like the Mehedinți Plateau Geopark or the Field of Lapiezuri in Ponoare, represent key assets for attracting tourists interested in nature and sustainability. This study investigates how tourists perceive sustainable ecotourism in Romania’s South-West Oltenia Region and identifies the primary determinants of their travel preferences. Specifically, it examines shifts in destination choices, the orientation toward safer and more sustainable locations, and changes in trip frequency and duration. Data were collected between June and December 2025 via a structured questionnaire administered to 500 visitors to these protected areas. To test the research hypotheses, the data were analyzed using multiple statistical methods, including regression analysis, the Chi-square test, an independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The statistical results largely confirmed the proposed hypotheses. Notably, a significant relationship between tourist age and visit frequency was identified, indicating distinct behavioral patterns across age groups. Furthermore, perceptions of service quality varied significantly by gender, highlighting divergent experiences and expectations between male and female visitors.

The study «A brief history of European Christmas Markets. Case Study: The City of Craiova (2020-2024)» aims to present a brief history of Christmas markets in Europe and to identify how these seasonal events have become, in recent years, a real entertainment industrie, with application on the Craiova Christmas Market. The Christmas markets began to appear in the early Middle Ages for economic reasons: in winter, the food merchants recorded modest sales and began to sell their products near churches, where residents met for Christmas services. The meat sellers were joined by the pastry shops, the confectioners, the toy manufacturers, the ornaments producers, etc. The authorities encouraged and regulated these markets, established the venues, the period, the objects that can be sold. The locals were joined by visitors from other localities, which contributed to the increase in income from these events. At the end of the 19th century, in the Germanic space, the cradle of Christmas markets and the promoter of the decorated tree, the Christmas markets were increasingly numerous and the period of their holding was extended. In the following century, also in Germany, the use of luminous decorations, the specific music, the aromas of mulled wine and gingerbread was imposed, which contributed to the creation of the "Christmas atmosphere", much exploited commercially today. The Craiova Christmas Market began to become a symbol of the city every winter season. The organizers aim every year to exceed their limits in terms of elements of novelty and uniqueness, to bring to the attention of the public varied themes that would attract tourists of all ages, from all social categories and even from abroad. The visibility of the event has increased year by year thanks to intense promotion on radio and television, the written press, but also on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok platforms.

Smart Grid is an advanced power grid system that integrates digital technology, two-way communications, smart sensors and process automation to streamline the production, transmission, distribution and consumption of electricity. The implementation of smart grid components in the Oltenia region has been analysed by tackling network improvement projects on both the transmission and distribution sides. Through the SMART TRANSFORMATION program of the distribution operator in the region, smart grid components such as: Smart Metering Deployment, Meter Data Management and Metering Data Collection Systems, Advanced Distribution Management System and Asset Management System are being implemented. Among the renewable energy sources, the category of prosumers was analysed, as their number has been continuously increasing in recent years in the Oltenia region. To understand the degree of acceptance of smart grid components (smart meters, prosumer applications, smart devices) by consumers in the Oltenia region, we applied the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The assessment of the results highlighted a positive perception of the use of technology, as it was considered to be both beneficial and user friendly.