The agreement on co-financing the revitalization of two monasteries in Poland and Ukraine was executed on May 9, 2018 in the parish of Saints Peter of Alcantara and Anthony of Padua in Węgrów (Masovian Voivodship). The value of allocated funds is 2.37 M EUR from EU funds.
The undertaking The twin monasteries: Wegrow and Rava Ruska - using the potential of the heritage of Reformati Order for development of tourism and socio-cultural life in Poland and Ukraine" is one of the seventeen undertakings in the subject of heritage, chosen by the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development for funding under the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014 -2020.
Co-funding in the amount of 2 M PLN and 374,000 EUR is intended for the revitalization of the monastery complex of the parish in Węgrów, Poland and of the monastery in Rawa Ruska, Ukraine.
A Center for Dialogue of Cultures is to be created in the monastery in Węgrów, while Family Children's Home for war orphans from Donbas will be opened in the monastery complex in Rawa Ruska. The undertaking will bring into existence also the "Trail of Observance Monasteries."
On May 9, the Grant Agreement no. PLBU.01.01.00-14-0658 / 17-00 was executed by Fr. Romuald Kosk, parish priest of the Węgrów parish, and Adam Hamryszczak, deputy minister of investment and economic development and the government representative responsible for the co-funding programme, on behalf of the Polish and Ukrainian sides.
The Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020 is implemented as part of the EU's European Neighborhood Instrument, which serves to build cooperation with neighboring countries outside the EU. The programme covers the eastern voivodships of Poland (podlaskie, lubelskie, podkarpackie, the eastern part of masovian voivodship) as well as the western regions of Belarus and Ukraine. The programme's budget is over 183 M EUR. It co-finances joint, international implementation of projects in 4 thematic areas: cultural and natural heritage, improvement of accessibility of regions, security, and border protection.
On June 21, 2018, in Lviv, in the Curia of the Archdiocese of Lviv, a partnership agreement was executed by the partners – by Fr. Abp. Mieczysław Mokrzycki and by the representatives from Poland: Zofia Paczóska - project coordinator and Marek Sobisz - assistant coordinator. On September 25, 2018, the grant agreement was registered in Kiev, Ukraine.
The aim of the project is to increase the attractiveness of the cross-border regions (Poland-Ukraine) for tourism through the creation of the Trail of Observance Monasteries, development of dialogue between cultures by creating the Center for Dialogue of Cultures in Węgrów and the Center for Dialogue of Cultures in Rawa Ruska, mutual youth exchanges, organizing conferences and cultural events and promoting the rule of the Franciscan order - love for the most needy - by creating a Family Children's Home in Rawa Ruska.
In order to create the Center for Dialogue of Cultures and within the scope of revitalization of the monastery in Węgrów, construction works are planned inside the monastery building to adapt it for the purpose of creating 42 sleeping places. Additionally, the interiors will be equipped with: furniture for 14 guest rooms as well as furniture and equipment for the multi-purpose room (for conferences, concerts, film projections, performances, exhibitions) in the patio.
Construction works are planned to create the Center for Dialogue of Cultures, the Family Children's Home and to revitalize the monastery in Rawa Ruska. Adjusting the monastery for accommodation purposes (12 guest rooms for 24 people) and providing necessary equipment for the Center for Dialogue of Cultures and Family Children's Home. Rooms which will also be created: historical, sports, training and education, as well as recreation and integration room for all persons staying at the Center for Dialogue of Cultures. The Family Children's Home will consist of 4 segments for four families of twelve.
As a result of the implementation of the project, the number of tourists in border regions will increase, and infrastructure for social, cultural and educational activities will be created to promote the culture and traditions of both countries. The main effects are:
new cross-border tourist product - the Trail of Observance Monasteries;
promoting the cultural heritage of the Observant Franciscan frairs;
2 revitalized historic monasteries;
providing recipients with facilities of high artistic and cultural values;
new functions of monasteries: the Center for Dialogue of Cultures in Węgrów and the Center for Dialogue of Cultures with the Family Children's Home in Rawa Ruska;
developing a dialogue between Polish-Ukrainian cultures through youth exchanges, scientific conferences and cultural events.
