Popielów, Opole, Poland

The municipality of Popielów comprises twelve villages, has almost 8,000 inhabitants and is located around 28 kilometers from the city of Opole. The history and geographic location between Lower and Upper Silesia in the former Habsburg Empire resulted in a multicultural society with a large German minority, whose preservation is considered a cultural strength. Approximately 80 percent of the 17,557 hectares municipal area is located in the Stobrawski Landscape Park with corresponding Natura 2000 areas. The topography as a lowland area along the Oder poses a constant risk of flooding, which led to a devastating flood disaster in 1997.

A gradual decline in population with a loss of social ties and activities, as well as economic migration and a lack of jobs, especially for people with less education, prompted Popielów to carry out a structured SWOT analysis as the starting point for a comprehensive economic and socio-economic development process. Its overarching goal is to build a strong community and society with enduring, cross-generational and cross-national relationships. Favorable agroclimatic conditions of the Oder Valley, large groundwater resources and large farms located in the commune make Popielów an important food producer for neighboring urban centers. In addition, the municipality scores with the potential of an intact natural and cultural landscape, with traditional handicraft and trading companies as well as established restaurants with traditional Silesian cuisine.

However, the most important element of the renewal process is the social re-activation of the existing multicultural community – shaped by a deep-rooted tolerance, willingness to cooperate and a sense of togetherness. Popielów became an active member of the Polish Network for Rural Development and Regeneration (PSORW) in 2013. With the help of EU funding, the population demonstrates great abilities concerning networking and implementation as it initiates numerous projects and programs. With a clear focus on cross-community and cross-border cooperation, Popielów also maintains worldwide town twinnings with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Brazil and the USA. In addition to cultural, educational and information exchange, these cross-border partnerships are also characterized by support and assistance in crisis situations, currently for refugees from Ukraine.

In its vision of the future, oriented towards the common good, Popielów also relies on the potential of the social and administrative structure of local leaders, and rural women’s groups and thus on a self-determined community. The renovated village meeting houses in Kurznie, Karlowice, Stobrawa, Kaniów and Stare Siolkowice serve as structural centers and social meeting points for the four rural women’s groups. Equipped with a small part of the municipal budget, the rural women’s groups have a certain degree of financial independence and implement various projects in close cooperation with the population.

Culture, education, support for children and young people and care for the elderly also play a central role in community development. Meeting points for the activities of the “Senior Kaffee” club are the five village meeting houses and the cultural center in Popielów. This and another cultural center in Karlowice also form the structural framework for a talent promotion program for children and young people that is offered daily until 9 p.m. With this educational offer, organized and financed by the municipality, Popielów not only does outstanding conceptual work, but also offers families with children valuable social support.

As a further visible sign of the positive development and increasing quality of life, a spacious leisure area with a large bathing pond and beach volleyball, accessible completely free of charge, was created in Nowe Siotkowice. This new community-boosting venue, which has a strict alcohol ban, offers sports and recreation for the whole family, as well as an extensive fishing program that includes fish farming and the production of local fish products. In the fishing club Polski Związek Wędkarski, far away from the hustle and bustle, you can also pursue fishing as a leisure activity and learn how to fish.

Great importance is also attached to building in Popielów. The community is part of the Opole Architecture Trail, which documents the work of the important builder and architect of classicism Karl Friedrich Schinkel, with the aim of making the significant architectural heritage tangible and touristically usable. The former stables of the prince’s palace in Karlowice are an example of a successful renovation and conversion into a multifunctional event space.

In addition to structural revitalization, the municipality is also striving to switch from fossil to renewable energy such as photovoltaics or heat pumps and is pushing energy-saving measures. In addition to the existing bus and train services, around twenty kilometers of footpaths and cycle paths are currently being built as a contribution to low-emission and resource-saving mobility. The construction of three Bike & Ride parking lots is also in progress. To strengthen the community as a business location, fiber optic technology is being expanded. On the way to further developing Popielów and the areas of the Oder Valley as safe living and working spaces, the realization of an effective flood protection system is a major topic for the near future.

Evaluated: 2022