Świętokrzyskie Mountains are among the most preserved region in Poland and include many protected areas included in Natura 2000 network. Thanks to its natural and cultural assets Świętokrzyskie Mountains is an attractive area in terms of tourism’s development. Unfortunately, research reveals that majority of tourists (80%) spend only a few or dozen of hours in Świętokrzyskie Mountains, to maximum of 1-2 days. Respondents claim that the region lacks of adequate accommodation, catering and related services. The region targeted by the project includes selected boroughs of the counties of Kielce, Opatow, Ostrowiec and Sandomierz. It is worth to mention that in the recent years and at present the region is facing a tangible depopulation phenomenon.

The programme is supporting local socio-economic development in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains region. Tourism offer will be improved and the tourism sector will develop into a modern sector of the economy as in other European region generating income and economic perspectives for the future’s generation. The programme will create new jobs outside the farming sector and secure alternative sources of income for rural people.

Young, rural people, farmers, micro, small, and medium busi-nesses

The project will finance: (i): Identification of local resources and potentials; (ii): Educational activities targeting rural people and specific training for the young (Internet simulation); (iii): Activities supporting local development - Grants Schemes (start-ups); (iv): Promotional activities for local products, services and tourism offer

Résultats obtenus:  

• 232 grants for SMEs development awarded
  
• 37 training activities organised, in which 635 SMEs, farmers and individuals participated
• Catalogue of local products and producers online
• 35 promotional events (conferences, radio interviews, TV programs) organised
• 3 study visits to Switzereland with 156 participants
• 2 Swiss experts in a conference on Agro Tourism

Phase 1 01.10.2011 - 31.03.2017   (Completed)