zachodniopomorskie

ABOUT PILOT AREA

The Gryfice District is located in the northwestern part of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and covers an area of 1,021 km². It is a typically agricultural region, dominated by large farms, supplemented by small and medium-sized farms. The area is attractive area in terms of its geographical location, natural landscape, and cultural values, but its potential remains untapped.

The region comprises six municipalities. The area is characterized by low population density and negative demographic trends, including negative natural growth and net migration. These trends lead to the progressive depopulation of rural areas and an aging population. In economic terms, the Gryfice District is one of the least favorable areas in the province. It is classified as a deficit area and is characterized by an accumulation of unfavorable socioeconomic and spatial phenomena. These phenomena result largely from the specific layout of the settlement network and the historically large share of socialized agriculture. A clear problem in the region is the high unemployment rate and predominance of low-paid jobs. This situation is further exacerbated by limited autonomous development potential at the municipal level, which prevents the creation of effective new jobs. The lack of development opportunities is closely linked to limited access to infrastructure and public services, which is exacerbated by transport exclusion. These barriers significantly impact residents’ daily lives, deepening social exclusion and hindering effective professional activation.

ABOUT VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE PILOT AREA

Vulnerable groups of Zachodniopomorskie are:

1. The long-term unemployed, including women in rural areas. This group represents a key and strongly identified structural problem in the county, resulting from the legacy of state-owned farms. Long-term unemployment leads to permanent passivity, social helplessness, and alienation, creating “enclaves of poverty” in these areas. Intervention in this group is necessary to break the cycle of exclusion.

2. Young people, whom we identify as a strategic group for the future and development potential of the district. Addressing the problem of young people is a priority because their emigration (negative migration balance) leads to an aging population and a permanent decline in population, thus undermining any long-term development potential of the region. Early support for young people in entering the labor market or creating their own social economy entities is crucial to break the cycle of poverty and helplessness passed down from generation to generation (especially in areas formerly occupied by state-owned farms) and prevent them from becoming long-term unemployed. Furthermore, investing in youth development is an investment in the future workforce of social enterprises and local leaders, which is the only way to reverse negative demographic and economic trends in the long term.