Tibor Szólláth - mayor of Hajdúnánás
Tibor SZÓLLÁTH, Mayor of the town and former MP introduced the complex local economy development in Hajdúnánás. To understand the developments its neccessary to understand the logic which could be useful for governing a town. Find the unique resources, put into new shape with the help of
tradition and innovation. In Hajdúnánás the social land program was introduced which provides help on social basis,
restoring the honour of work and teaches again the vanished knowledge in the field of self-sufficiency instead of
providing social assistance payments. The value based public work is also a main pillar in Hajdúnánás. These people
maintained the drainage system and closed the illegal landfills. Later on the municipality connected a lot of other
sectors into public work system like student work, maintaining public roads, working on the municipality’s own
vegetable farm etc. The primary aim was in 2011 to reintegrate those who live from state aid back to the world of
work. The indicator of success is that less families participate in the municipal program as they grow viable enterprises
on the basis of their experience. In 2020 the aim is to put back more of these people to the labour market. The
municipality also encourages the inhabitants to choose local products, that are organic and healthy at the same time.
The local currency project “Bocskai Korona” is also a unique initiative. It has provision in 100% percent. It
aims to connect the local consumption with local production and help to keep the assets inside the local economic
circle. Furthermore it has also an identity maker function, because the local people are proud of their product and
currency. Its unexpected benefit is also purchase by collectors around the world who will never cash this voucher type
currency again (it has expiry date).
Nánási Portéka is also an important element of the local economy development. This brand was created by the local municipality and is only applicable to
products which are produced within Hajdúnánás administrative boundary. This trademark is the element of city
marketing too.
Gábor Üveges - mayor of Hernádszentandrás
The Bioszentandrás project is a model farm which was introduced in 2010 and its goal was to put an end to the privilege of organic and
ecologically controlled vegetables and making it more accessible. People tried to make it real with the products,
prices, and Bioszentandrás became the biggest organic farmland of the region. They are
cooperating strongly with the Ecological Agricultural Research Institute, Corvinus University of Budapest and
Szimbiózis Foundation. The mayor believe that the countryside is the only viable asset, background of
restarting a country and the human side of development management its also important, including community building
from isolated individuals as well as wise involvement and use of catalyst persons and exemplary individual participants
who can then make a change in a specific group such as the local Roma.
