Banca dati dei progetti dei PSR
From Old Farm to Environmental Education Centre: Boosting Międzychód Commune
Summary
With this project an old farm building was modernised and turned into an environmental education centre. It has stimulated the local population to become more active in their local development and increased the area's attractiveness to tourists.
Background
The Międzychód commune, like many other Polish rural areas was in the past dominated by the State Agricultural Farms, which disintegrated after the fall of communism. A unique idea helped revive the area. In 2006 a farm in the commune was rebuilt and converted into the "Regional and Environmental Education Centre". This involved restoring and transforming the damaged farm buildings so as to serve educational and community integration purposes. This process had to be continued to really achieve maximum impact of these new facilities.
Objective
The objective of the project was to build on the initial transformation efforts by actively engaging the local population and thus to increase welfare and improve living standards in this disadvantaged area. An additional objective was to increase the number of tourists and enhance the quality of the tourist services provided both by the Międzychód commune and by the Centre.
Main activities
The main activities consisted of: renovating a historic grain crushery for conference and exhibition purposes, as well as tourism and management needs; replacement of roofing on the building to host workshops on vanishing occupations and other classes; establishing sports and recreation areas. In addition, various objects have been received from different donors that helped to equip stands with educational material, illustrating various rural occupations and daily lives on farms.
Results & Benefits
The effects were a great surprise to the project designers themselves. Apart from renovating the buildings, more than 8000 visitors annually have been attracted to the venue. The project has succeeded in teaching the rural population to present old occupations and provide tourism management services, which in turn contributed to increasing economic activity. In the course of the project a rural association has been established which fosters partnerships with local stakeholders.
Lessons learnt
The project has greatly contributed to improving the image of the village, branded previously as that of a disadvantaged community of post-collective farming. In 2009 the project won the first prize in the Poland-wide competition "Friendly Village".
Project location and other information
Międzychód Commune
Region
Wielkopolskie
RDP Territory
Poland
Total project cost (€)
100 000
EAFRD contribution (€)
40 000
National contribution (€)
60 000
Project website
Contact name
Centrum Edukacji Regionalnej i Przyrodniczej
Telephone
+48 957482602
Languages for contact
Polish
At a glance
Country
Poland
Final beneficiary type
Public/local authorities
Budget range
€20 000 - €99 999
Start date:
15/06/2007
End Date:
31/12/2009
Theme / Measure:
Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
Improving quality of life in rural areas
322. Village renewal and development
Keywords:
Awareness raising, Citizen participation, Tourism, Environmental education, Farm buildings
Last update
09/10/2013