European Congress
on Renewal and Rural Development

– For three days of the Congress, we will discuss the opportunities, challenges and perspectives of rural development, as there is no food security without farmers and without sustainable rural development – said the Undersecretary of State Adam Nowak during the official opening of the European Congress for Rural Renewal and Development (ECRRD), in the territory of the Poznań International Fair (MTP).

The inauguration was also attended by: representative of the congress organiser and General Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Bogusław Wijatyk, President of the Poznań International Fair Tomasz Kobierski, Deputy Marshal of the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship Krzysztof Grabowski, Deputy Minister for European Union Affairs Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Minister of Economic Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk.

In brief

The appreciation of local potential, the use of bottom-up methods of sustainable development and building resilience to threats and crises – these are the most important issues that will be addressed during three days of meetings, conferences, discussions and workshops as part of the European Congress for Rural Renewal and Development (ECRRD).

Bogusław Wijatyk, General Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

The scale of the event we are starting today is well reflected by the figures: more than 1,000 people involved in the organisation, 118 speakers, 18 ministers, 2 commissioners and 4,500 registered participants.

Krzysztof Grabowski, Deputy Marshal of the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship and co-organiser of the Congress:

The countryside is changing – we see it very clearly. This brings us new tasks and new challenges. I believe that Congress will help us work out a response to this change.

ECRRD – an event under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU

The European Congress for Rural Renewal and Development is the largest event of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Adam Nowak, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

The EU is not only a community of 27 Member States, but also a community of regions and people. We have to take care of this community. Under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and today’s event – the largest during our presidency – we want to show that the Polish Presidency is not only a political event, but also an event of all of us – officials, governmental and non-governmental organisations, a community of all those who are not indifferent to the future of the Polish countryside. More than 130 million residents of the European Union live in the countryside, and in Poland – more than 15 million. This shows how important it is for rural areas to support the sustainable development of Poland and the whole European Union.

Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Deputy Minister for the European Union Affairs:

The major message of the Polish Presidency in the Council is security in many aspects. During the Congress, we will talk mainly about food security, for which we are famous in Europe. In the EU, currently there are ongoing negotiations on a new EU budget – an important moment for the whole EU. More funds allocated for agriculture and simplified procedures for obtaining them are a guarantee of the further, smooth development of the Polish countryside and rural areas.

The Congress is a platform for exchange of experience and discussions: on the global challenges facing modern countryside and agriculture, on the vision of the future and on the strength of cultural heritage.

It is aimed at building strong, interconnected, resilient and prosperous rural areas, as outlined in the Long-term Rural Vision for 2040 promoted by the European Commission.

Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Economic Development and Technology:

In the modern world, the countryside and rural areas perform a significant economic function. That is why it is so important to cover agriculture with a number of simplifications – so as to make it competitive in global markets. But the countryside is also a society, ecology, energy – numerous challenges of the future, which we will discuss together during the European Congress for Rural Renewal and Development.

During the three-day event, about 1,500 people from Poland, EU Member States and Europe – representatives of ministries responsible for rural development, institutions working for rural development, representatives of local governments, non-governmental organisations, scientific communities, leaders of rural communities – will discuss issues important for the Polish and European countryside and its residents. Each day of the Congress covers a different thematic area: 8 May is the Wielkopolska, Local Development and Youth Day; 9 May is the Europe Day; 10 May is the Polish Day.

Tomasz Kobierski, President of MTP:

For more than 100 years, the MTP Group has been creating a platform for exchanging ideas, experience and technologies. We are proud that we can be a part of this event. During these three days, we will be the European capital of agriculture.

Good to know The European Congress for Rural Renewal and Development means:

• more than 60 exhibition stands,
• about 100 experts taking part in panels and discussions,
• about 20 accompanying events
• outdoor exhibition space,
• 6–7 conference rooms available at the same time.

 The programme includes, among others:

• Plenary sessions and discussion panels of representatives of organisations and institutions related to rural areas
• workshops and shows
• tastings of regional specialties, cooking shows (including firefighter cuisine, roast and grilled meats)
• shows and workshops led by folk artists, including shows of folk costumes, musical performances, wickerwork, ceramic, painting, sculptural and weaving workshops
• presentation of innovative scientific and technological solutions for agriculture
• shows and workshops addressed to students at agricultural schools
• workshops for Women (Association “Women in the Centre”)
• demonstrations of military equipment

Live broadcasts of the plenary sessions and the detailed programme of the Congress are available on the following websites:

https://www.gov.pl/web/EKOiRW2025/program-europejskiego-kongresu-odnowy-i-rozwoju-wsi

https://www.gov.pl/web/EKOiRW2025/wydarzenia-towarzyszace7