CEDRO-PUSZCZ, Izabela

POSKART, Robert

English

Czasopisma Uniwersytetu Opolskiego (E-Journals)

CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEYELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEECONOMIC AND ENYIRONMENTAL STUDIES No. 6 OPOLE 2004Izabela CEDRO-PUSZCZ and Robert POSKART Opole University, PolandTHE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING MULTIFUNCTIONAL RURAL DEYELOPMENT BASED ON THE EXAMPLEOF THE „RURAL RENEWAL PROGRAMME IN THE OPOLE YOIYODSHIP”1. IntroductionThe rural regions of many European countries are currently in a deep crisis on many levels: economic, social and cultural, spatial and environ- mental. The long term industrialisation policy and rapid development of urban agglomerations have effects on the environment, which are un- bearable for rural regions. Modernisation of agriculture, overdeveloped or incorrectly organised mass leisure, centralisation tendencies in pro- duction and management and standardisation tendencies in culture - are but a few processes leading to the loss of social and economic vigour in rural areas, along with irreversible damages to the landscape, archi- tecture, environment and culture of such areas. A reaction to this state of affairs has come in the form of the recently developed European programmes for rural communities and their environment. The capacity for growth in the local perspective is decisive for the development of ru­ral areas. Deficiencies in this respect have initiated an intensive search for effective local government structures, non-government organisations and government and research institutions supported by many facilita- tive funds [Integracjapolskiej wsi..., 1998], Due to the futurę realisation of regional development programs, creating proper organisational struc­tures would be favourable to the development of enterprises in the Opole region. Regional economic differences in the near futurę will depend on the ability of regions to compete successfully for foreign investment and15 — Challenges...226 IZABELA CEDRO-PUSZCZ AND ROBERT POSKARTintake of new technologies, as well as on the speed and ąuality of diffu- sion processes and innovations in businesses. It is believed that effective use of production factors will, to a large extent, help reduce regional dis- proportions. The ability to adapt to change and readiness to meet chal- lenges from the global economy will also play an important role.This paper aims to present the possibilities of multifunctional rural development, in particular of activation of local communities in rural ar- eas in Poland, based on the Rural Renewal Programme in the Opole Voivodship mentioned above.2. The origin and assumptions of rural renewalin the Opole VoivodshipRural renewal is a package of practical operations resulting from the crisis of rural areas, which resulted from the belief that rural areas should follow the development patterns of urban areas and that agricul- ture should follow the development patterns of industry. Rural renewal is both a social and economic process, which covers the key areas of local community functioning and which reorganises the structure of rural ar­eas. Restructuring includes management of housing, infrastructure, public space and service facilities, the fulfilment of existential and spiri- tual needs, public transport and safety. This synergic process creates a friendly environment for the development of new management areas.A prerequisite for the rural renewal process is the involvement of the local community in enterprises beneficial to their villages, their own homes and vicinities. By creating a sense of self-fulfilment and enga­gement, rural renewal programmes activate community members and apply existing assets and potential. In this way, rural renewal pro­grammes emphasise the basie importance of human and endogenous fac­tors that need to be taken into account when formulating any develop- ment strategy.The basie assumptions of rural renewal are [Kaleta, 1998]:- Rejection of the principle of the dominance of economic factors over socio-cultural and environmental factors (the principle of balanced growth);- Introduction of the principle of personalisation for villages and their inhabitants;- Change in the social status of agriculture (functions, the recognition of the stability of a family farm, the recognition of a farmer as the ad­ministrator of environmental and cultural inheritance);THE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING... 227- Recognition of modern telecommunication media as a basie instru­ment of economic and social development in rural areas;- Protection of cultural diversity.Rural renewal programmes, which function as an instrument for the development of rural areas, consist of the activation and maintenance of such activities. The activation of the villagers is accompanied by the use of their own resources and the formulation and realisation of a vision of rural development at the level of a particular village by the application of methods of strategie and spatial planning. Territorial government and local authorities should be of a supportive character and provide compre- hensive assistance (animation of formulating visions and objectives of development, participation of professionals in the creation and realisa­tion of projects, co-financing), for both public and private projeets. Rural renewal in rural areas exemplifies the rule of subsidisation (assistance). As a method of development, it effectively combines the individual char­acter of enterprises and the use of local resources with the support of public subsidies, including structural grants from the European Union [LEADER Magazine, 2001].It is necessary to re-emphasise the assumption of balance in the rural renewal programme and the mutual support of the three key elements which are decisive in rural development; namely: people, the economy and environment. Economic growth takes place within a given environ- ment (natural and cultural) and it is effected by the population of that environment. The ąuality of the environment in turn influences the di- rection and level of economic growth. This interdependence mainly ap- plies to agricultural management and interdependent social and spatial structures. The history of the development of rural areas, so different in so many European countries, is united by this particular strict principle.Rural renewal initiatives assume that any growth should follow three basie principles:- the importance of the relation of people to the environment, or equal treatment of the issues concerning people and their natural and cultural environment,- integrated activity, or effective cooperation between various govern- mental and local administrative bodies with local residents in the pro- cess of construction and completion of all the local development programmes,- consultation and engagement, or the recognition of the views, needs, resources and powers of local community members in the develop- ment processes.228 IZABELA CEDRO-PUSZCZ AND ROBERT POSKART3. Involvement of the local communityin the implementation and functioningof the rural renewal programmeThese remarks are fully applicable to the reality of the Opole Voivodship, all the morę so because until 1997 no programme within the state regional policy had been carried out in the area of the Opole region. Still, it is worth pointing to the factors which have facilitated the adop- tion of Western patterns and the commencement of the Opole rural re­newal programme.- the diversification of the economic situation of villages and their functions within the Opole region, ethnic and cultural diversity of the local communities and the broad contacts with the West serve the transformation and exchange of experience better than anywhere else in Poland.- 2/3 of the rural population in Opole works outside agriculture.- The Silesian traditions of prudence, dedication to the home commu­nity, relative wealth and high ąuality of the technical and social infra- structure of the Opole rural areas, where basie problems have already been solved, make the Opole Voivodship well prepared to take up the next step of development, going beyond just basie needs- A number of local communities have rich traditions of cooperating with the local government for their own village’s good. Many typical ru­ral renewal programmes have long been carried out in many villages on an individual scalę. Thus, there is a rich stock of experience to refer to.The main goal of the programme is the cultural, social and economic activation of rural communities, as well as protection of their natural and cultural inheritance. Activity is centred around typical issues in ru­ral areas, the search for and popularisation of practical spatial Solutions, as well as international exchange of opinions and experience in such matters. The number of programme participants grew rapidly: 17 dis- tricts and 40 villages at the beginning of 1997, 28 districts and 63 vil- lages at the end of 1997, 24 districts and 77 villages at the end of 1998. Up to 2001, 145 villages have participated in the rural renewal programme. Out of the 68 rural, and mixed districts of the Opole Voivodship, 51 districts (75% of the total) had filed for accession into the programme by 2001 and 145 villages out of the total number of 992 (14.6%). A few stages in the implementation of programmes can be ob- served (Table 1). One of the key stages is a training course for rural leaders called Planning in the Rural Renewal Programme. This course is meant to educate leaders in the creation of rural strategies - develop- ment projects and rural renewal programmes in both the short-term andTable 1. Stages of the Implementation of a Rural Renewal ProgrammeStages and their duration Steps takenNumber of people to be trainedPromotion and shaping of the programme concept.Started 22 Oct, 1996- seminar called Promotion of the Rural Renewal Concept- popularisation of the programme concept among local governments- acceptance of applications of local governments willing to participate70Enrolment of participants Started 5 March, 1997- inauguration conference- formal application of local governments and villages for participation- selection of programme coordinators among leaders of rural and local communities110Training course and effect- ing of the rural renewal agendaStarted 22 May, 1997- seminar on the organisation of rural communities for the rural renewal programme,- training courses, 3 research trips,- spontaneous organisation of rural renewal groups and creation of rural renewal programmes, effecting of the agenda340Creation of rural renewal personnel and drafting of renewal plans and programmesFrom 9 Jan, 1998 until 29May, 1998— training of moderators to draft development plans and rural renewal programmes,— creation of rural renewal groups ca 600From 1998 until 2002A training course called Planning in the Rural Re­newal Process— moderators prepare a local vision of the village before the course- a training course for 3-4 rural renewal groups covers the following:- analysis of the resources of a village and its vicinity, Identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the village, Identification of opportunities and hazards,- preparation of a vision of rural development,- preparation of development plans and rural renewal programmes, support courses for the leaders of rural renewal groups595Source: based on Wilczyński, 2002.THE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING... 229230 IZABELA CEDRO-PUSZCZ AND ROBERT POSKARTlong-term. Leaders of all the villages involved in the programme have been participants in this course.The finał decisive stage for the success of the implementation of the programme was the preparation of development plans and rural renewal programmes by the rural leaders in the first half of 1998. This was the first Polish attempt to build a development strategy at the village level on such a large scalę. Looking back, we can see that the incentive for the programme was the participants’ motivation ingrained by educational action. The research trips to Germany (Rheinland-Pfalz) and to Austria were particularly important. In 1997-1998 550 people completed various training courses. Another 375 people participated in the workshop on de- velopment plan and rural renewal programme construction. Since 1998 the roles of the programme participants have become defined and in- clude rural communities, districts and regions.Over its five years of implementation the program has functioned in accordance with the model shown in Tabłe 2.4. Effects and character of ventures withinthe rural renewal programmein the Opole VoivodshipThe main effect of the programme in 1997-2002 was the implementa­tion of a successful mechanism of rural renewal thanks to the propaga- tion of the concept of rural renewal at every level of programme realisa- tion, particularly among local communities. The materiał effects achieved and the strengthening of the integration of local communities resulted in trust and belief in the effectiveness of the concept of rural re­newal. The programme was perceived as the first step concerned with rural areas and their populations after years of regression. Effects of the rural renewal programme can be grouped into materiał, economic, social and political.In 1998 the number of ventures carried out by local leaders in the so­cial and non-material area grew, especially in areas concerned with cul- ture, tradition and sports, due to the fact that local communities recog- nised the need to integrate as being crucial in meeting the objectives set forth in the development plans and rural renewal programmes. This pri- ority was reflected in materiał ventures — in 1998 the number of projects aimed at developing social infrastructure almost tripled (in absolute numbers). The character of steps taken in the materiał area is eąually interesting: redevelopment, modernisation, reclamation (32.5%), con­struction, extensions, purchases for investment purposes (27.0%), order-THE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING... 231Table 2. A model of the progression of a rural renewal programmeStages of rural renewalActions taken Activities and organisational developmentDura- tion (in years)Preliminary- organisation of village- preparation of a develop- ment plan and rural renewal programme- initiative group- rural renewal group- freąuent spontaneous ac- tion1-2Initial— projects aimed at an in- crease in living standard and ąuality of life- activation of the population to act according to their abil- ities/resources- large rural renewal group - planning of actions- simple Instruments of in- ner communication and ru­ral renewal support2-3Advanced— effecting of large projects aimed at qualitative changes in key areas of life— joint involvement of the population in public projects — renewal of private property- rural renewal association- action design- developed Instruments of inner communication and rural renewal support3-5Compre- hensive- comprehensive steps re- garding standards and ąual­ity, jobs, maintenance of vil- lage identity based on planning- conscious shaping of devel- opment factors in order to create new jobs- adaptation of private pro­jects to rural renewal programmes- animating the actions of rural renewal associations (e.g. youth, farmer’s, busi­ness people’s groups)- institutions promoting lo­cal development and giving Professional advice- comprehensive spatial and strategie planning- developed promotion of the activities of rural renewalgroups5-8Source: based on Wilczyński, 2002.ing, renovation, protection, maintenance (18.4%), conceptual and prepa- ratory work and design (7.5%), purchase, acąuisition of eąuipment (3.2%), renting, preparation for exploitation (1.7%), decoration, interior arrangement (1.4%), purchase, acąuisition of real property (1.4%), change of function, adaptation (1.4%), collection of funds (1.1%), demoli- tions, disassembly, liąuidation (1.1%), reorganisation of traffic (1.1%), signposting and related activities (0.9%), creation of institutions and so- cial organisations (0.9%), revisions, local visions (0.3%).To sum up, it should be noted that most steps taken by rural commu- nities are directed at a tangible effect. Over 50% of the ventures are232 IZABELA CEDRO-PUSZCZ AND ROBERT POSKARTTable 3. Yentures in the rural areas of the Opole Region in 1997-1998Item Areas of the ventures1997% of the total % in an area1998 % of the total % in an areaI. Materiał area: 87.3 68.0aesthetics of the yillage 24.2 24.6environmental protection 4.8 3.2technological infrastructure 42.7 40.4social infrastructure 22.6 30.4tourism and leisure 5.6 1.4II. Economic area: 2.8 4.4spatial planning 75.0 26.1business activity, jobs 25.0 43.5promotion and Information 0.0 30.4III. Social and non-material area: 9.9 27.6activation of the rural population 75.0 70.0education 25.0 23.5culture, tradition and sports 0.0 6.5S o u r c e s: Survey conducted by the Marshall Office in Opole.aimed at revaluating resources already possessed. Most actions are of an investment character and are meant to multiply the possessions of the village. Qualitative effects include:- presentation of a positive perspective for a village and an effective direction of searching for a solution for that village,- intensification of the restructuring process of the awareness of rural communities,- intensification of the sense of community and integration of rural communities,- activation of rural areas and organisation of communities to develop,- enlargement of the group of rural community leaders,- implementation of procedures of development planning at the vil- lage level and identification of priorities,- intensification of local/rural community cooperation, acceleration of the common decentralisation process,- creation of local government and voivodship personnel for rural re- newal,- acceleration of the development of local spatial plans for rural de- velopment,THE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING... 233- creation of new ways of communication and exchanging experience and pattern followingThe examples presented of supporting programmes undertaken at the regional level obviously do not give us an overall picture, yet they under- line the complexity and importance of such actions, as well as benefits resulting from their completion. Such benefits can be discussed in both their social and economic aspects, both in the short and long term. Apart from the highlighted advantages of absorbing unemployment by creating new workplaces and spreading innovativeness, there are also others, e.g. realisation of an entrepreneur’s individual goals, meeting the needs of the local community in a better way, improving the region’s manage- ment, increasing the community spirit and raising living standards.LiteraturęEuropean Landscape Convention and Explanatory Report. Strasbourg: Council of Europę, 2000.Integracja polskiej wsi z Unią Europejską. Wspólna polityka rolna. Fundusze struktu­ralne. Warszawa: Fundacja Programów Pomocy dla Rolnictwa FAPA, 1998.Kaleta, A., Rewitalizacja Obszarów Rustykalnych Europy. Vol. III: Aktywizacja społecz­ności lokalnych. Toruń: Nicolas Copernicus University, 1998.LEADER Magazine. Quarterly journal of the LEADER European programme. Brussels, 2001.Raszeja, E., „Ochrona Architektury i Krajobrazu Wsi”, in: Rozwój Obszarów Wiejskich w Perspektywie Integracji z Unią Europejską. Fundacja Programów Pomocy dla Rol­nictwa. Toruń: Instytut Socjologii UNK w Toruniu, 1998.Strategia dla wiejskiej Europy ECOVAST. Warssawa: Fundacja Programów Pomocy dla Rolnictwa FAPA, 1995.Wilczyński, R., Opolski Program Odnowy Wsi. The Ist Rural Renewal Congress. Opole: The Marshall Office of the Opole Voivodship, 2002.

THE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING MULTIFUNCTIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE „RURAL RENEWAL PROGRAMME IN THE OPOLE VOIVODSHIP”

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THE CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING MULTIFUNCTIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE „RURAL RENEWAL PROGRAMME IN THE OPOLE VOIVODSHIP”

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