Rural Housewives’ Circles as a space for development of education and social entrepreneurship based on local tradition in Warmia and Mazury (Poland)

Abstract

Rural Housewives’ Circles (KGW) are a representative example of social organisations shaped in the spirit of Polish tradition and culture. Their tasks oscillate around the dissemination of cultural education, protection, and multiplication of rural cultural heritage, but also around the development of social capital and the use of the inhabitants’ potential in the aspect of their activation for the local environment. The purpose of this article is to present the results of our own research on the directions, scope and forms of KGW activities in Warmia and Mazury (Poland) as a space for the implementation of activities in the field of lifelong education with the use of local traditions, while creating and introducing social initiative in rural areas in the experience of KGW representatives. The study used a qualitative method of individual interviews, partially guided, focused on the problem. The results of the study indicate that KGWs in Warmia and Mazury are an excellent example of innovative forms of activities of rural women’s organisations, which make full use of cultural heritage resources and determine new professional, social and educational activities of rural women residents.