Małgorzata Pietrzak

Activity and entrepreneurship of rural women

in the Lublin region.

A few facts about BONA FIDES Association for Equal Opportunities

The association was founded on 12th June 2003.The basic objective of the association’s activity is the support of civic participation in order to

build and enhance local communities. One of the detailed objectives of its activity is:

Work aimed at the promotion of women’s activity in family and society.

Mission and values

The mission of the Association is to contribute to the development of local community by social engagement, fully

using spiritual, intellectual, social and physical abilities of individuals, at the same time creating responsible society.

Charity – Empathy – Responsibility – Aid to the weak

Description of the situation of rural

women in the Lublin region

Poverty of the inhabitants Stereotypes concerning the role of women Low motivation to make changes Lack of faith in one’s own skills Lack of stimuli

Implemented projects related to the support of activity and entrepreneurship

of rural women“Szkoła Animatorów Ekonomii Społecznej”

(“A School for Promoters of Social Economy”)Its aim was to spread among 50 inhabitants of the Lublin

Province the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to function in a local community as a social economy leader by

providing knowledge and improving competence and skills related to establishing and running social economy units (such

as Social Integration Clubs and Centres, social cooperatives and non-governmental organisations).

„Parasol przedsiębiorczości społecznej kobiet na obszarach wiejskich”

(“Social entrepreneurship umbrella of women in rural areas”)

The aim of the project was to support and develop the social entrepreneurship of women in rural areas up to 25 thousand of

inhabitants in the Lublin Province.

Current initiatives related to the

promotion of activity of rural women

ACTIVE WOMEN’S CLUBSACTIVE WOMEN’S FORUMACTIVE WOMEN’S ACADEMY

idea and objectives

Active Women’s Clubs

Where did the idea for Active Women’s Clubs come from?

*It has been 5 years since the BONA FIDES Association for Equal Opportunities started organising cyclical events integrating active women who reside in rural areas in the Lublin Province, as part of Active Women’s Clubs. *The Forum includes discussion panels, workshops, skills

training courses, shows, exhibitions of handicraft products. *Each year, women who stand out thanks to their

activity in different areas receive awards. So far, we have awarded 62 women from a number of communities in our province. *During the last Active Women’s Forum on 1st July 2012

in Sawin, we initiated a hyde park – a board where participants could put their opinions, expectations and ideas for the future activity development.

The idea behind the Active Women’s ClubsThe creation of an Active Women’s Club in each rural community of the Lublin Province, the main objective of which will be to support the personal development of women. One community – one Active Women’s Club. The Club is a place where rural women have access to knowledge, skills and experiences allowing them to fulfil themselves and make their dreams come true. The Club is a place where stereotypes are defied and barriers to development are removed. Active Women’s Clubs offer women some time for themselves and a right to forget about their problems and everyday responsibilities. The Club is a safe place where women can feel exceptional.

Areas of the activity of Active Women’s Clubs

Me – a woman

Me – a mother

Ma – a wife/ partner

Me – an enterprising woman

Rules of Active Women’s Clubs a. The Club is run by an organisation or institution with

its seat in a rural commune, conducting its activity in this area.

b. The Club has at least 30 members who make a membership declaration and pay monthly fees.

c. Participation in the Club’s activities, meetings and workshops is subject to a fee.

d. The fee amount will be determined by the organisation in charge.

e. The Club’s meetings will be organised at least once every two weeks.

f. The Club will be developed by the Club Council, members of which will be 3 leaders/promoters chosen from among the members.

Rules of Active Women’s Clubs a. The Club Council, together with the Club’s members,

will develop a yearly schedule, which will be updated every quarter.

b. Meetings over a cup of coffee / tee – celebrating the time spent together.

c. Activity on the www.klubykobiet.pl website and our Facebook profile.

d. The use of the name and logo of the Active Women’s Club.

e. Openness to new members, performance of undertakings for theme and age groups depending on the demand reported.

f. Co-organisation of a yearly meeting of active women during the Active Women’s Forum.

g. Participation in network meetings with other Clubs, organised at least once every six months.

The role and importance of the BONA FIDES Association for Equal

Opportunities* Initiator and originator*Umbrella organisation making sure that the ideas and rules

of Active Women’s Clubs are followed*Setting standards for the functioning and awarding

certificates to Clubs, together with the organisations in charge

*Supporting the Clubs’ development*Supporting the financing of the Clubs’ activity during the

first phase of development, based on the arrangements between the unit in charge and the Association

*Networking the Clubs and the Clubs’ leaders / promoters – organising and conducting meetings of the network

*Organising a yearly event – Active Women’s Forum*Exchanging experiences, knowledge and skills, as needed

The role and importance of the BONA FIDES Association for Equal

OpportunitiesOrganising the Active Women’s Academy for leaders/promoters who have created or would like to create an Active Women’s Club in their commune, as part of which the following events will take place: Individual coaching meetings for leaders Development workshops during 10 weekend sessions Thematic seminars organised in communes for

leaders/promoters who support activities aimed at the development of women’s circles

A study tour to Italy to a women’s organisation which supports women in different fields

Meetings as part of the Active Women’s Academy will be free of charge.

The role and importance of the BONA FIDES Association for Equal

OpportunitiesOrganisation of the 5th Active Women’s Forum, this year entitled “Culture is a woman”, the main aim of which will be to increase the participants’ access to different forms of culture such as: Theatre plays Recitals Exhibitions of handicraft products Vernissages Plein-air painting and photography Artistic workshops…and all this starts on the 1st July 2013 in the castle in Janowiec nad Wisłą

During our Active Women’s Celebration a

Happening will take place – writing

letters/poems of fulfilled women

Why the Active Women’s Club in Miączyn?

The RAZEM Social Initiatives Association in Miączyn – an organisation embracing women who have dreams but no tools for their accomplishment

Energy and certainty that they can change themselves and their environment in Miączyn (social development)

Readiness to accept changes and perform the work needed to introduce them

An idea for an Active Women’s Club adjusted to the needs of its members

Determination and motivation in action

A schedule of activities of the Active Women’s Club in Miączyn

* Each Monday, starting on 29th April 2013 at 6.15 pm, fitness classes – zumba* On 10th May 2013 – a trip to the Juliusz Osterwa

Theatre in Lublin to see Komedia Teatralna – an inauguration of Friday meetings* Every two weeks on Friday at 6 pm – workshops

(starting on 17th May 2013) on:1. “People’s fortification is their self-esteem...” 2. “Spread your wings! Fulfilment of one’s own needs,

goals, dreams...”3. Active Mums’ School or childcare skills training

including 3 workshops4. A meeting with a dietician and a personal trainer

A competition for new Active Women’s Clubs

A competition for the creation of two new Active Women’s Clubs – the aim is to choose communes and organisations for new initiatives.The rules of the competition – to fill in an application form, answering the following questions: Why an Active Women’s Club should be created in your

commune? What are your ideas for the functioning and

development of the Club? Why do you need support to open the Club? Additionally, the form has to include a presentation of 3 leaders/promoters who will take part in the development of the Club.

A competition for new Active Women’s ClubsCriteria for choosing communes and

organisations/institutions, with which we will create new Active Women’s Clubs:CreativityPrevious experience related to activities aimed at the

local community, including womenIdentification of women’s needsFeasibility of the implementation of the Club’s

development directionsThe winners:1. Will be granted a status of an Active Women’s Club2. Will receive support related to the development of the

Active Women’s Club in the form of co-financing the Club’s activity

3. Will be included in the Clubs’ network4. Will receive support for their leaders/promoters who

will become members of the Active Women’s Academy

Thank you for your attention!