Környe, Hungary

Környe is a municipality with 4720 inhabitants and is located on the important traffic route Budapest- Győr-Vienna. It is also adjacent to the county capital Tatabánya with its excellent social infrastructure and numerous employment opportunities. During socialist times, Környe was home to one of the most important agricultural cooperation, which is now completely privatized. Another historic peculiarity of the village is that it was home to a vast number of German-speaking Swabians until they were banished after the Second World War in 1945 – an incident that scarred the village and had a lasting effect until today.

The village renewal process was initiated after the political turnaround in 1990 and went through several phases. Initially, infrastructural measures were prioritized. Over the years however, the focus shifted towards economic, social and ecological projects. Over the last few years, climate change was recognized as a major challenge and lead to the implementation of a number of initiatives: the restriction of land consumption for new industrial and residential areas, the energetic restoration of buildings, the utilization of renewable energy, the modification of street lighting, the expansion of the bicycle network, and environmental education in kindergartens and schools.

One important project was the revitalization of the large pond in the village center, which included the decontamination of the confluent creek, a remodeling of the surrounding area, the construction of an educational eco-trail along the shore and the installation of a variety of outdoor activities. Today, the pond is valuable as both a natural biosphere and a tourist magnet. It serves as a social meeting spot and local recreational space for the whole municipality and is also used for ecological education.

Although the settlement is located in close proximity to a metropolis, the municipality made it a priority to invest in its own social institutions and a diverse cultural landscape to ensure a lively social life. The community of all generations is of great importance; the municipality regularly hosts events that promote the exchange between young and old. The children of the kindergarten frequently partake in events at the retirement home as well.  The quality of care and educational facilities is outstanding, exceeding average standards and demonstrating great social and environmental awareness. In addition to the retirement home, a day center for the elderly was established on the shore of the pond, and the medical and pediatric practices were renovated. To support those in need, a “grocery chamber” was created inside the town hall, steadily stocked by the municipality and donations.

The municipality also promotes the continuing education of its citizens. It offers free First-Aid and computer classes as well as legal support. In cooperation with the region, a regional service website was developed to list and promote local enterprises. There are also exceptional efforts made in the field of culture: the arts and leisure center was recently modernized, offers a diverse program and draws in over 25000 visitors every year. Communal events to strengthen the identity of the village, the most famous of which is the Nationalities and Beer Festival, are hosted and traditions are actively maintained. The history of the German population is actively revisited. Typical Swabian traditions were revived, a memorial for the 100 banished families was constructed at the train station and in 2018, a novel featuring a Hungarian-German protagonist from Környe was published.

Overall, the consideration for needs and concerns of all inhabitants is palpable. The communal life is exceptionally active and divers, the range of establishments for the population is extensive, and quality of life is high.

Many of the goals set in 1990, as well as those that were developed over the years that followed, were successfully achieved, one of which is the continuously central objective to create jobs. Today, Környe offers employment to some 3500 people, half of which work for large international companies, the other half is employed by local enterprises. The development process was carried by the participation of the population, the associations and the leaders of social and educational institutions, but also by the involvement of external professionals. The countless measures and projects in Környe are literally implemented for the people by the people.

Evaluated: 2020