The project integrates all three focal areas of GEF SGP. It has strong element of poverty eradication and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. The project aims to demonstrate community level strategies that promote environment friendly activities and stimulate community development.
The Community of Petronys village is situated in Ukmerge district, one of the poorest in Lithuania. There are 337 dwellers in the village, 103 of them are children under age of 18, and 74 are retired people. Most of the people do not have permanent employment and cultivate conventional mixed small scale farming for personal needs.
There is abandoned old kindergarten house in Petronys village. Local community plans to restore the building and to establish a Craft House in it. In the House there will be a bread bakery, cheese processing, fretwork, linen wave and wattling hadicrafts. The House will produce ecological products (bread, cheese) and will sell them in the market or specialised shops in Ukmerge, Kaunas and Vilnius in the partnership of Cultural Heritage Center. This SME activity will provide part of the community with economic benefits while preserving local land from agricultural pollution.
This house will also serve for organising workshops and trainings. The members of the community as well as farmers from the region will have a possibility to get practical training in craft-making skills, in traditional business development, in ecological agriculture, and many other areas. Income-generating activities will be promoted and new work places will be created.
The Craft House will serve as a center for gathering of local people as well. The community center-office will also be there. It is planned that due to the establishment of craft center internal communication of local community will improve, people will more actively participate in social activities. Environmental education of the community as well as exchange of experience with other communities are indicated as crucial activities of the project.