Carpathian Center of Natural and Cultural Heritage

Beneficiary:   Association Local Action Group "Dorzecze Wisłoka"

Slovak partner:   Present Holcikovce

Implementation period:   01/05/2018 - 30/06/2019

Realized project value: € 54 317.51 , including ERDF co-financing: € 46 169.87 ,

The Carpathian Natural and Cultural Center is a place directly tailored to the education of children and youth, including in the field of protection of the heritage of the Polish-Slovak borderland. The center was established as a result of the modernization of the Fairy-tale Borderland Land on the horse and rolling stock trail. The planned activities contributed to the extension of the offer of this place, which has become an excellent location, among others, for the organization of thematic workshops. Much attention in the micro-project was devoted to increasing environmental awareness and improving the ability to observe and analyze natural phenomena. Additionally, an online database of natural and cultural heritage sites was created.

The main activities carried out under the project:

• Establishment of the Carpathian Natural and Cultural Heritage Center on the horse and rolling stock trail . This task consisted in the modernization of the Fairy-tale Borderland Land and giving it an additional function, which is the protection of natural and cultural heritage. 313 m long and partially paved alleys were modernized. 6 go-karts were purchased on the alleys in order to encourage children and teenagers to participate in the activities. The natural shed was renovated, nature stops were built and medieval tools were purchased in order to cultivate the tradition and history related to the robbers marauding in Odrzechowa. 4 promotional boards were also installed.
• Education and integration as well as promotion of natural and cultural heritage . As part of the task, cleaning of the Polish-Slovak border was organized. "Wielka Sprawa" in which about 800 children and youth from border schools took part. Their enthusiasm and willingness to participate in the action exceeded the expectations of the organizers. Polish-Slovak excursions were organized both for entities active in the field of tourism and protection of natural and cultural heritage, as well as for children and adolescents. People involved in the development of tourism from Poland and Slovakia, as part of the trip, visited the Beskie Heritage Center, the Regional Memorial Center of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła in Pastwiska, took part in handicraft workshops at the Folk University of Arts and Crafts, and a carriage ride on Odrzechowa. They also visited the Carpathian Natural and Cultural Heritage Center. The children, on the other hand, took part in in workshops and a meeting with a naturalist / forester conducting the classes. The excursion program included participation in natural and cultural activities: learning about flora and fauna, animal tracks, the effects of bees' activity, distinguishing trees and archery, observing nature through binoculars. The participation of them and their carers deepened Polish-Slovak relations, strengthened ties and positively influenced further cooperation. There was also a festival with the participation of residents and tourists from Poland and Slovakia. About 500 people took part in the event. Three regional folk bands promoting the local folklore of the Polish-Slovak borderland, including a band from Slovakia, performed on the stage. A multimedia internet database of natural and cultural heritage objects was also created.