Varsány, Nógrád, Hungary

The municipality of Varsány is located in the Cserhát Nature Park and surrounded by extensive forest, arable, and meadow areas. It focuses its sustainable development efforts primarily on strengthening local agricultural production by prioritizing its use in local gastronomy as well as in kindergartens, schools, and for the elderly. Besides creating local value, this conscious decision for short transportation routes is also seen by the municipal authorities as an important contribution to climate protection.

Furthermore, a state-funded employment program aims to achieve social integration of the local Roma population, who make up about 15 percent of the population, while also providing a way out of unemployment. Following the regime change and the dissolution of local cooperatives, the number of people without stable employment had sharply increased. 

The municipality also pursues a vision for the future focused on the common good, promoting strong social engagement and building a community characterized by high citizen participation and a climate of togetherness. With this overarching goal, the municipality promotes intergenerational club work in the areas of education, tourism, sports, entertainment, and the preservation of traditions. The municipality has taken a number of measures to create spaces in the immediate village center where meetings and exchanges can take place. As a result, the village center has experienced a noticeable revitalization, as have other infrastructural facilities. Varsány also maintains partnerships with communities in Romania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Spain, focusing on community and cross-border exchange of experiences.

With a good communication infrastructure, including broadband internet, and public transportation, the municipality of Varsány has good conditions for attracting businesses and already counts 91 companies within its territory. Finally, additional opportunities have been recognized in tourism, particularly based on hunting and nature experiences.

The “Rosmarin Restaurant“ project marks an important initiative in the effort to promote economic and social development. In 2020, the municipality constructed a restaurant based on the designs of an award-winning architect, which is operated by a licensed restaurateur who also offers a catering service. The offering is complemented by a showroom and sales area.

The economic significance of the project is particularly high because primarily local and regional agricultural products are used. The sales stand also offers local delicacies such as jams, pickles, honey, and wine. The fact that 14 employees are now employed is also considered a success story, which is tied to the restaurant‘s appealing ambiance and high-quality cuisine, making it a popular meeting place for guests from near and far.

In addition to serving its guests, the Rosmarin Restaurant prepares 300 meals daily for school and kindergarten children as well as seniors. This allows the operator to largely secure their business risk, while the municipality benefits from a steady rental income. Overall, the project contributes significantly to the tourist development of Varsány and has a very positive impact on the self-esteem and quality of life of the population.

The renovation of the elementary school in Varsány, carried out in 2020, pursued and achieved the ambitious goal of creating a high-quality educational facility that also takes local needs into account. The project aimed to optimize the building‘s infrastructure and facilities, significantly improve the equipment, and establish innovative educational methods.

In addition to necessary renovations, accessibility was ensured, a solar panel system was installed on the roof, and an additional floor was added, allowing the school to accommodate 235 children, including upper-grade students from neighboring areas. Twelve classrooms and five specialized rooms were created for subjects such as computer science, languages, natural sciences, art, music, and individualized support. A gymnasium for daily physical education, which is also available for the community‘s sports activities, and a generously sized sports field were built.

With the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory for natural sciences, the acquisition of high-quality equipment for various subjects, modern digital equipment for classrooms, and the introduction of innovative pedagogical practices, including project-based work and collaborations, young people now have access to a learning environment that meets the demands of the 21st century and makes acquiring knowledge a joyful experience.

In 2019, the municipality of Varsány undertook a comprehensive renovation and energy-efficient upgrade of the health center. The goal was to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and provide more comfort for both patients and staff. The heating system was modernized, insulation was added, windows and doors were replaced, solar panels were installed, and waiting and treatment rooms were made more functional and attractive.

The second component of the project aimed to significantly improve medical care and the overall health of the population. This was especially important given that child mortality rates in the county and district are twice the national average, and the life expectancy of men is the lowest in all of Hungary. The project succeeded in significantly improving the spatial atmosphere in the health center; the equipment in the general practitioner‘s and midwife‘s offices was upgraded with diagnostic and therapeutic devices; encouraging a larger portion of the population to utilize preventive and early detection screenings.

Important additions include the new pharmacy located across from the health center and the “Safe Start“ daycare center, which is also housed in the health center and primarily serves as a pedagogically supported contact point for mothers and children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Preserving buildings that shape the village‘s character and have a significant identity-forming effect is highly valued in Varsány. In this spirit, the municipality renovated an old farmhouse , adhering to local architectural tradition, in 2008, and rented it to a local association.

Today, this farmhouse serves a variety of functions that enrich village life. It functions as a guesthouse with two rooms, offering visitors an authentic accommodation with special charm. The associated garden features a baking oven, a covered terrace, a solar module for hot water supply, and, since 2022, a barn. The property is thus well equipped to be used for events of all kinds. Many of these, such as joint plum canning from local harvests, winter culinary evenings, singing folk songs, and storytelling, promote community spirit and the preservation of customs and culinary traditions. The kindergarten, school, and children‘s home also have an external base here for teaching and play.

Since the property has also served as the home of the local craftsmen‘s guild for many years, it is frequently the site of outdoor exhibitions and conferences. Additionally, local craftsmen invite guests to learn the secrets of shoe weaving, leather jewelry making, wood carving, and blacksmithing.

Evaluated: 2024