Policy Breakfast highlights rural business challenges and opportunities under eRural resilience project in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship

Article written by: Viktorija Neshkovska Draganov

On 29 September 2025, Creativity Works Europe as partner in the eRural resilience Interreg Baltic Sea Region project hosted a Policy Breakfast event at Winnica Złota Wieś, a rural winery and proud beneficiary of the project, located in the picturesque Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland. The gathering brought together representatives from the Municipality of Kielce, Commune Bieliny, the Staropolska Chamber of Commerce and local rural entrepreneurs.

President of Creativity Works Europe, Kama Kępczyńska opened the event by emphasizing: “We wanted to hold this Policy Breakfast in the heart of a rural business because it’s important not only to talk about challenges, but to experience them firsthand. We had chance to taste rural wine from Winnica Złota Wieś, eating local cheese from Kozi Smak, tasting delicious oils made from Olejarnia Zagloby and enjoying homemade bread, where at the same time we met entrepreneurs and connect policy to reality. That authenticity makes discussions more meaningful and solutions more grounded”.

The event provided a platform for dialogue on the evolving challenges rural businesses are facing, from market access and digital transformation to demographic shifts and the demand for bio-production. Central to the discussion was how the eRural resilience project supports rural enterprises through its Methodology and Knowledge Hubs, offering custom-made support from experts, database with educational videos and exchange of good practices from the network of rural businesses all over Baltic Sea Region, to strengthen their resilience and long-term competitiveness.

Ewelina Ptak, owner of Winnica Złota Wieś shared: “At Winnica Złota Wieś, we try to combine tradition with innovation. As a small family-run winery, we have embraced sustainable viticulture and, thanks to the Methodology from eRural Resilience project, we were able to expand our palate of products and present to the costumers not just wine production but experiential tourism. Today, we not only produce wine, but also welcome guests for tastings, cultural events, and educational workshops. This tailored guidance has helped us diversify our activities and stay competitive while remaining true to our community roots.”
During discussion, it was pointed the importance to include and involve in every step of the process the public authorities and business support organizations, as they are among the primary target groups. Their active engagement ensures that the Methodology and tools developed by the eRural resilience project are not only adopted but also embedded into local and regional practices. By doing so, these institutions can carry forward the project’s results beyond its lifetime, providing continuity, wider outreach, and long-term sustainability for rural businesses.

Piotr Głowacki representative from the Municipality of Kielce shared: “Rural businesses in our region are the backbone of local development. They create jobs, preserve traditions, and attract tourism. What they often lack is not creativity, but access to networks and tools that help them grow sustainably. We are happy to see that eRural resilience project offers exactly this kind of bridge.”
Anna Łubek representative of Commune Bieliny emphasized: “As a partner in the eRural resilience project, Commune Bieliny sees great value in bringing these solutions directly to our community. For us, it is not only about strengthening the local economy, but also about improving the quality of life for our residents. The project provides practical tools that empower rural entrepreneurs and support long-term development in our municipality.”
Dorota Tekieli-Bisińska from the Staropolska Chamber of Commerce commented: “The Staropolska Chamber of Commerce strongly believes that connecting local businesses with wider regional and international networks is essential. Through initiatives like this project, we can help rural SMEs innovate, adapt, and remain competitive.”

The Policy Breakfast concluded with shared conclusion, where reaffirmed that with the right tools and sustained guidance, rural enterprises have immense potential to grow, innovate, and contribute to resilient economies in the Baltic Sea Region.
The eRural resilience project, co-financed by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, will continue to build this ecosystem of support, ensuring that rural areas are not left behind in Europe’s green and digital transitions. By empowering small businesses like Winnica Złota Wieś, the project demonstrates how local initiatives can contribute to vibrant, innovative, and sustainable rural economies.

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