At the 2025 European Agricultural Forum, we took part in a panel discussion focused on social transformations in rural areas and the role of local initiatives in building their attractiveness and resilience. The discussion centered on demographic challenges, the declining role of agriculture as the main source of livelihood, the situation of women in rural areas, infrastructure, and the need to support social capital. These issues were discussed under the theme: “The countryside beyond agriculture. Social initiatives as an opportunity for a sustainable and attractive rural life.”
The panel was moderated by Monika Szewczyk-Wittek from the Polska z Natury Foundation, and the panelists included:
Monika Stanny – Director of the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN)
Małgorzata Bojańczyk – Vice President of the Agro Woman Foundation
Andrzej Hałasiewicz – Chair of the Board of the Foundation for the Development of Polish Agriculture
Grażyna Jałgos-Dębska – Vice President of the National Association of Village Leaders
Agnieszka Wącławska – Member of the Rural Housewives’ Association in Żarnowica
Hamish Marr – Special Envoy of New Zealand for Agricultural Trade
The discussion opened with Monika Stanny presenting data highlighting the ongoing shift of rural areas away from agriculture and the growing diversity of rural life in Poland. She pointed out that the countryside is no longer a uniform space, and the problems and needs of residents vary increasingly depending on location, function, and access to services:
When Poland joined the European Union, 52% of rural residents were engaged in agriculture. Today, that number is only 22%. The rest are so-called ‘non-farming rural population.’ The countryside is becoming less homogenous – we now have suburban, gentrifying villages, peripheral villages losing functions and population, and areas experiencing severe depopulation. Processes such as deagrarianization, depopulation, or urbanization cannot be stopped – we must learn to manage them and mitigate their negative effects.
Source: European Agricultural Forum
Later discussions addressed women’s entrepreneurship, access to public services, and the importance of supporting the development of local leaders. Representing the Agro Woman Foundation, Małgorzata Bojańczyk referenced both global FAO data and findings from the “Women in Agriculture” study conducted by Agro Woman in collaboration with the Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences:
FAO data shows that as economies develop, fewer people work in agri-food systems. In Poland, this shift disproportionately affects women, who—although better educated than men—are less likely to formally manage farms and more likely to migrate from rural areas in search of professional fulfillment. Rural areas are increasingly becoming spaces for entrepreneurship—in services, tourism, crafts—and it is these new directions that should be supported.
Much attention was also given to the role of local initiatives and encouraging people to take action. Małgorzata Bojańczyk shared insights from the Agro Woman Foundation’s mentoring program:
We’ve created a system that gives women in rural areas opportunities for personal and professional development. We paired them with leaders and managers from the agri-food industry. The results were incredible—the participants not only gained new skills, but also the confidence to make decisions. This is how social capital is built and local women leaders emerge, inspiring their communities. We will continue this work in the coming year.
In conclusion, the speakers agreed that the countryside of the future is a multifunctional space, open to diversity and co-created by its residents. Maintaining the attractiveness of rural life requires systemic action: investment in public services, education, transportation, digital infrastructure, and culture. Local leaders—especially women—and flexible funding sources for grassroots initiatives are also essential. As highlighted during the panel, the countryside does not have to be defined solely by agriculture—it can and should be a place where people want to live, work, and engage in community life.
The European Agricultural Forum is one of the most important industry events in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, dedicated to the future of agriculture and rural areas. Each year, the forum brings together representatives from the agri-food sector, policymakers, experts, scientists, and farmers, providing a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and jointly shaping development strategies. Alongside economic topics, increasing attention is being given to social issues and rural quality of life.
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