The Małopolska Region is characterized by mainly small farms of the average size of 2.6 ha which means a substantial dispersion of farmland. As a consequence of this, regional economic growth and GDP per capita is relatively low. Furthermore, the region is suffering from high unemployment compared with national average. The area's main potentials are valuable natural resources (attracting considerable tourism) and a rich, diversified agricultural production.

The aim of the programme is to develop local enterprise and agricultural processing in Małopolska through a) establishing a center for economic education, b) working out a good practice model for production and marketing of local products as well as c) building brands for local products in Małopolska.

Producers of local products in Malopolska, individuals interested in business start-up, NGOs, Local Action Groups

 The project has three main pillars:

• Establishment of a new Centre for Economic Educa­tion (CEE) with development of courses, seminars and work­shops to support entrepreneurship especially in agricultural products' processing together with set-up of a grant for related NGO projects
• The creation of a food incubator combined with a mar­keting strategy for local products in Gosciniec and - based on experiences - development of a best practice model
• Building of brands for local products in Małopolska partly based on already existing initiatives

Achieved results:  

• 175 local farmers registered within the system
• One kitchen incubator created and one local kitchen established
• 7 buyers’clubs were created
• One outlet for local products was put in operation
• 8 study visits to Switzerland organised, in which 34 persons participated

Phase 1 04.08.2011 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)