On Monday, March 27, 2023, the first meeting of the year for members of the National Retreat Tourism Network took place. It was held online and was attended by Przemysław Herman, Director of the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Department of the European Social Fund, and Marcin Krzyżanowski, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, as well as individuals and entities representing public institutions, the non-governmental sector, and the private sector.
At the meeting:
- We summarized 2022:
- June 8 – kick-off meeting (online),
- August 27-28 – study visit to Lower Silesia,
- September 26 – Active Rest Forum in Świdnica.
- Together we presented the goals for the Network for 2023:
- developing a common contact database available to everyone,
- creating a visual identification – including the Network logo,
- We have confirmed the possibility of submitting topics and co-organizing study visits (applications can be sent to: halina.bernatt@ladnehistorie.pl).
- We listened to presentations from entities working to activate OzN (presentations with contact details can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1igp6DkR9gFv39oae9YfmTCuXTY5l1OXK?usp=share_link), i.e.:
- Marshal's Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship – "Lower Silesia for Everyone" campaign,
- Zacięty Association – presentation of activities,
- Eudajmonia Foundation – project „Regional Self-Advocacy Academy – according to the slogan – Nothing about us without us”,
- Foundation for Supporting Social Initiatives "Borderland Without Barriers" – presentation of its activities.
- Each presentation was followed by a discussion on important issues such as:
– the opportunity to promote the „Lower Silesia for Everyone” guide and submit any comments regarding the accessibility of places included in the guide,
– the opportunity to submit comments and recommendations to the Ministry of Sport and Tourism regarding changes to the competition criteria to take into account inclusive tourism – a working meeting will be called for this purpose, the date of which will be announced,
– attention was drawn to the lack of respite offers for caregivers of disabled persons and the lack of a guide on active recreation for families affected by disabilities – the topic will be included in the discussion at subsequent meetings,
– the issue of accessibility was raised as an important, developing topic.
- Finally, we presented the schedule of upcoming meetings:
- April 25, 2023 – thematic seminar Imago Foundation / Fundacja Ładne Historie in Wrocław
- May 29, 2023 – second meeting of the Online Network
- 24-25.06.2023 – study visit to Lower Silesia
- 19-20.08.2023 – study visit to Lower Silesia / KSON Conference in Jelenia Góra
- 12-14.09.2023 – ISBA 2023 International Conference in Wrocław
- September-October – two study visits to Poland
- November (exact date to be confirmed) – online meeting related to planning joint activities in 2024
All events will be available by registering using the registration form sent to the provided email address closer to the date.
Thank you for the meeting, and we are delighted with such a large turnout and willingness to collaborate. We would also like to remind you that the Network Operator is Fundacja Ładne Historie, the implementer of the "Łączą nas gór" (Mountains Connecting Us) mountain tourism program for people with disabilities. This activity is part of the "(Po)łączą nas górów – razem we rozwoju kultury rozwoju rozwoju" (Mountains Connecting Us – Together We Develop Social Tourism) project, implemented under the Active Citizens Programme – National Fund grant, financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway under the EEA Grants.
