The final of the “Sołectw@ w sieci” and “Sołtys Roku 2013” competitions was combined with the conference “The village fund after the changes – new opportunities”. It was opened by Rafał Trzaskowski – Minister of Administration and Digitization, who emphasized the importance of management at the local administration level and the role of local governments.
“It was with great pleasure that I accepted honorary patronage over the competition,” said Rafał Trzaskowski. “I am glad that so many people took part in this competition. Combating digital exclusion has always been important to me, including during the time when I was a Member of the European Parliament.”
The conference was chaired by Senator Janusz Sepioł, chair of the Committee on Local Government and State Administration. Short presentations were given in turn by Senator Ireneusz Niewiarowski, president of the National Association of Village Heads (who spoke about amendments to the village fund law), Wiesław Janiszewski, mayor of the Czerwionka-Leszczyny municipality (who discussed mechanisms for municipal support of residents’ initiatives), Jolanta Szejka, village head of Bełk (who presented good practices and the benefits of the municipal support system for villages), and Maja Winiarska-Czajkowska, village head of Opypy (who described examples of using the village fund in her village). It was also an opportunity to take part in a discussion panel led by Senator Ireneusza Niewiarowskiego.
The second part of the meeting was devoted to the results of the two competitions – “Sołtys Roku 2013” and “Sołectw@ w sieci”. In the latter, Konrad Truszkowski, administrator of kruszyn.info, was named the owner of the best rural website in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
“I have been running the website for three years,” said the resident of Kruszyn. “The fact that the portal I run was named the best rural website in the entire Lower Silesian Voivodeship is a great source of pride and motivation to continue working.”
Konrad Truszkowski received a diploma and prizes for his work from Senators Ireneusz Niewiarowski and Janusz Sepioł, as well as Patryk Węgierkiewicz of the National Association of Village Heads. The prize was a camera and a tripod. In addition, each finalist will receive a special report and analysis of the changes the portal requires to increase its appeal and functionality.
The competition consisted of two stages. The first selected 16 finalists, three of whom received additional recognition in the second stage. It was also possible to take part in voting for the audience award.
“We analyzed the phenomenon of rural websites and assessed them in terms of functionality and accessibility,” said Patryk Węgierkiewicz. “Choosing the best was not easy, but the 16 finalists whom we invited to the Senate of the Republic of Poland were truly the best of the best.”
The competition final was also an opportunity to learn about the idea behind the NaszaWioska.pl portal, which is currently being developed and is intended to bring all villages together in one place, presenting their activities and achievements. Its intended purpose is to serve as a kind of database for exchanging experiences and ideas. A handbook on the accessibility of rural websites, published by the Rural Development Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of Village Heads, was also presented.
The role of both village heads and local activists who create websites was emphasized by Dariusz Młotkiewicz , Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.
“We must remember that every modernization success depends on the ability to unleash people’s potential,” he said. “On behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, I congratulate all the finalists and wish you perseverance in your continued work for your communities.”
Congratulations on your success!
(commissioned information: Gmina Bolesławiec/K.Wieczorek)