Summary

The Agricultural Chamber of Warmia and Mazury, organised two conferences in response to the needs of local citizens, who were looking for knowledge sharing and new experiences in cultural heritage, folklore, customs and traditions. The conferences were addressed to inhabitants of rural areas of the Masovian, Pomeranian, Podlasie and Warmian-Masurian voivodships (Polish provinces). 

A specific target group were women, who participate in formal or informal groups, working on local development and the improvement of the socio-professional situation in rural areas. As part of this initiative various conferences, workshops and a culinary contest were organised.

Results

Increased participants' knowledge on sustainable rural development; on cultural and culinary heritage and traditions; on creating short supply chains and small local processing; as well as on project management in rural development. 

Increased the knowledge of rural residents about rural development policy and the financial support it can provide.

Increased the share of residents of rural areas, in formal and informal groups, who get involved in initiatives for rural development. It also helped to establish new regional and supra-regional contacts between the participants.

Familiarised participants with a diverse range of activities (culinary, handcraft, music).