The rural border areas of Serbia have been undergoing significant demographic shifts and transformations in land use. Between 2002 and 2022, these regions experienced a continuous population decline, an increase in the average age, and a growing share of single-person households. Simultaneously, there has been a reduction in agricultural land and a noticeable expansion of forested and grassland areas, particularly in hilly and mountainous terrain. This paper aims to explore the interrelationship between demographic indicators and land cover changes in these areas. Pearson’s correlation analysis was applied to data from the national population censuses and the CORINE Land Cover datasets for 1990 and 2018. The strongest positive correlation was found between the decline in the number of households and the reduction in agricultural land. Conversely, the expansion of forested areas showed a negative correlation with most demographic indicators. The findings reflect trends similar to those observed in other Eastern European countries but also reveal specific patterns of spatial marginalization unique to Serbia. In the study, the conclusion leads to the idea that depopulated border areas are in transition between past and future functions that will be influenced by their resource base.

Introduction: Nowadays, the problem of population aging is emerging as a crucial issue in most European countries and worldwide. Aim: Accordingly, it is necessary to devote greater attention not only to the health and social care of the elderly but also to younger generations, those who are yet to come. Materials and Methods: Young people represent the potential and development opportunity of every country, and it is necessary to ensure better living conditions for this segment of the population (through financial support for employment, greater social inclusion, especially for vulnerable social groups, and better healthcare). There are numerous indicators that monitor the development of the young population to reveal crucial problems that need to be systematically addressed. The paper presents innovative indicators that focus on young people and monitor their progress in various social segments (the Youth Well-Being Index and the Youth Participation Index), individual quantitative and qualitative indicator values, the methods of data collection, and the goals and purpose of their use for monitoring and involving young people in various activities of social life. Results: The Strategy for Youth in the Republic of Serbia 2023–2030, the Guide to the Youth Well-Being Index, and the Monitoring Report on the Political, Economic, and Social Participation of Youth 2023 are the key documents from which the results of these indicators were obtained. Conclusion: Both indicators are of crucial importance for decision-makers and various civil society organisations, with the aim of improving the position of young people and achieving intersectoral cooperation. Local governments can better plan budget funds and available resources for young people.

The article presents a systematic and critical theoretical–methodological review and conceptual synthesis of the region as a fundamental analytical category and the central subject matter of regional geography. The primary objective of the study is to critically re-examine and conceptually redefine the region through an ontological and epistemological analysis of classical and contemporary geographical paradigms. The study is based on a qualitative interpretative methodology that combines analytical–synthetic, historical–genetic, comparative, critical, and conceptual approaches in order to examine the ontological and epistemological foundations of the region within classical and contemporary geographical thought. The region is conceptualized as a complex, multilayered, and dynamic socio-spatial entity whose ontological status has continuously evolved—from the essentialist notion of an objective spatial reality characteristic of classical geographic paradigms toward a relational and constructivist concept shaped by the interaction of social practices, political processes, and identity articulations within contemporary theoretical frameworks. Attention is also given to the epistemological foundations of regional knowledge, linking various modalities of the production and interpretation of scientific knowledge. Furthermore, the paper examines the roles of power, knowledge, identity, and institutionalization in the formation of regions, as well as the significance of centripetal and centrifugal forces in maintaining or destabilizing regional coherence. The research challenges traditional concepts of the region and proposes its redefinition in accordance with contemporary approaches that conceptualize it as an open, fluid, and context-dependent analytical framework. In conclusion, from the perspective of new regional geography, the region is interpreted as an emergent relational configuration whose understanding requires a broad interdisciplinary and critical approach.

Due to increasing demand and consumption of electricity, as well as the need to decarbonize and mitigate climate change, solar energy is an important factor in the transition to emission-free energy sources. This study focuses on identifying the most suitable locations for the construction of large solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants while respecting environmental, economic, and technical standards. The study area covers the mainland part of Southeastern Europe (796,039 km²), including the following countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Türkiye. Using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing methods, nine factors (topographic, climatic, hydrological, ecological, vegetation, and anthropogenic) were analyzed with a spatial resolution of 100 m. A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) pairwise comparison matrix was constructed to quantify the relative importance of the selected criteria. The F-AHP weighting results indicate that photovoltaic output (17.9%) and land use (15.7%) are the most important among the evaluated criteria. The results show that 6.7% of Southeastern Europe is very highly suitable for installing solar PV plants, with the most suitable areas located in Moldova (14.5%) and Greece (10.5%). Through spatial analysis of the final results, 24 of the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV power plant development were identified, with a potential to generate approximately 30.2 TWh of electricity annually. In such a scenario, the forecast indicates that 24 large-scale solar power plants would supply electricity to more than 6.7 million households, corresponding to over 17 million inhabitants. The final spatial patterns provide decision-makers at the international level with a significantly more effective basis for planning solar energy development in order to increase the share of green energy and clean technologies in this part of Europe.

This paper investigates the assessment and mapping of the spatial potential of the Pljevlja Municipality for the construction of photovoltaic solar power plants. This is of particular environmental and economic importance for this area, as it has traditionally always relied on coal exploitation. The methodological approach is based on the integration of GIS and multi-criteria analysis through the application of the Best–Worst Method. Key physical geographic and infrastructural criteria were considered: aspect and terrain slope, land use, distance from primary roads, settlements, and major watercourses. Environmentally sensitive and technically unsuitable areas, covering 33.7% of the municipality, were excluded from the analysis, while 47.7% of the territory was classified as low suitability. The results of the synthesis suitability map indicate that the Pljevlja Municipality possesses significant spatial resources for the development of solar power facilities. Specifically, areas with moderate suitability account for 17.4% of the territory, while zones with the optimal highest suitability cover 1.2%. Although the most favourable conditions occur across a relatively small part of the municipality, these areas represent strategically significant zones for photovoltaic development. The combination of high solar irradiation, flat terrain, and proximity to existing road infrastructure reduces overall investment costs. The obtained results and the generated GIS model provide a useful preliminary basis for local governments, spatial planners, and potential investors, enabling informed decision-making in the process of sustainable energy development and the diversification of the energy sector of the Municipality of Pljevlja.