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Description
In this project we want to encourage citizens to participate in neighbourhood activities aimed at environmental protection and building civil society. The main source of income in the Krynki Municipality is agriculture. The region faces high unemployment and a significant proportion of the inhabitants is at risk of social exclusion. Poor infrastructure makes it difficult to meet the basic needs of life. Availability of local products is also limited. Young people do not see a chance for a decent life for themselves and plan to leave for economic reasons. The crisis caused by the pandemic and the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border (from September 2021) is affecting the most vulnerable people, who are at risk of social exclusion. As a Rural Housewives'' Club, we have established cooperation with a similar organisation in Iceland, from which we will learn how to conduct local activities. We will set up home orchards with old varieties of fruit trees and bushes. We will conduct classes for young people on climate protection. We will draw the attention of local authorities and officials to the problem of agriculture''s impact on the natural environment. This is the first such activity in our area. We believe that the project will activate the inhabitants and contribute to a better future for our children and grandchildren.
Summary of project results
Promoting civil society. Activating small communities after difficult pandemic times and a 10-month closure - grassroots work related to ecology in the Sokolka district.
1. No to large-scale farms in our area - so far we have managed to achieve the goal - the matter is constantly monitored - updates and strong cooperation, among others, with the Dolina Nietupy OTOP association, Strefa Zieleni, ODR.
2. 10 orchards with old varieties of fruit trees were established in the Sokolka region, making farmers aware of the great impact agriculture has on air, soil and water, activating the young generation of ZSR in Sokolka - agricultural areas.
3. Social integration through soft activities: meetings, walks, picnics, walks together. In our commune we had one of the highest turnout rates in the Podlaskie Voivodeship in the parliamentary elections (October''23). Our organisation was the first rural housewifes circle in Poland to have the pleasure of cooperating with ACFR, which also changes the its perception, as not the catering facilities of the local government but also an important social organization - we are recognized for our work and activities not only in the district.
Acquired and systematized knowledge regarding climate protection, two workshops were organized with young people from the Sokolka agricultural school, increasing the skills and knowledge of participants. The need to include society - 10 groups were created and 10 new home orchards with old varieties of fruit trees were created, additionally, new contacts were created which are maintained through social media as well as continued further activities of the circle, meetings were held, a picnic was held, Neighborhood trysts, a study visit to Iceland was carried out, a summary of activities under the project was made, a small action of great importance, in addition, the housewives'' circle carried out Institutional Development, thanks to which we can operate more effectively. This project has become a permanent part of our activities and our local community and was appreciated and awarded in 2022 by the Marshal''s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
Summary of bilateral results
Exchanging experience with small organisation from Iceland.