Abstract:

Purpose:
Social farms provide a plethora of opportunities to people in need. Complementary activities of social farming include the rising of public awareness about agriculture and education. Based on the analyses of the “SoFar” project (Social Services in Multifunctional Farms), this paper uses the following social farms classification:
(1) Farms for rehabilitation / Social-rehabilitation agricultural farms;
(2) Care farms / Care farming;
(3) Social farms / Cooperative farms - Education. A comparative analysis of social farms operating in different countries was performed in this paper, based on functioning modes, funding possibilities and financial resources for their formation. Sustainability of these farms was assessed using available data. The outcome of our investigation is twofold: we give an explanation of European social initiatives and peform their classification.

Methodology/Approach:
The authors analyze information collected from local experts concerning local needs; comparison between the real needs and the ones stemming from the interests of the institutions is given. This approach is cost-sensitive in terms of not knowing in advance the source of fundings: whether it is local government, funding through projects, donations or individual entrepreneurs and it’s principal advantage is that it brings together interested parties.

Findings:
Comparative advantages can be obtained through
(1)Improved resource allocation and increased mobility;
(2) more stable energy supply;
(3) improved waste management and infrastructure;
(4) better social component;
(5) innovation and
(6) quality education. The process of validation is necessary for supporting organizations and social institutions taking part in initiating social farms.

Research limitations/implications:
Relatively small number of social farms realized in the Republic of Serbia

Originality/Value of paper:
Projects of this type contribute directly to community development, generating social participation and promoting urban regeneration through:
- more formal and informal educational opportunities;
- more pedagogical information about agriculture and livestock breeding;
- garden, landscape architecture and animal rearing education;
- schools; excursions and educational, didactic and pedagogical activities;
- inclusion of people with learning disabilities and/or other special needs.

Keywords:

social farms, formal and informal education.