The European Union is a perfect summary of the 13th Masovia Development Forum, which took place on November 14-15 in Warsaw. Two days were filled with debates, workshops, consultations, and inspiring conversations among representatives of government, business, the academic sector, non-governmental organizations, and interested residents. The event was co-organized by over 70 experts and 53 organizations representing diverse groups. All of this aimed to foster cooperation and further investments for Masovia’s development. The forum also provided a platform for presenting the winning projects in the European Funds Leader of Change competition. This year’s event, organized by the Masovian Unit for the Implementation of EU Programs, attracted 1,400 visitors, and a further 5,800 people watched the live broadcast. Thank you for joining us!
We all benefit from Poland’s membership in the European Union, and this is precisely what #FEnomenEU is all about . This was the motto of the 13th Masovia Development Forum, held under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of the Masovian Voivodeship, the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, and the European Commission Representation in Poland. The Forum was supported by the European Committee for the Development of the Regions. The event also provided a platform for presenting the results of projects recognized in the European Funds Leader of Change competition .
The Mazovia Development Forum is a unique opportunity to showcase the results of European aid, as well as discuss future needs and challenges. This is important because, although the EU’s 2021-2027 perspective is underway, a debate is already underway about the future of European support under Cohesion Policy. This aspect was highlighted by Elise Ferreira, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.
„We have already launched an international debate on how to ensure that the green and digital transformation leaves no region behind, how to cope with crises, international instability, and demographic challenges such as an aging population and the brain drain. We would like to hear your opinions on all these topics. The future is in your hands,” said Commissioner Ferreira during her opening remarks.
The idea of the forum is to show the role of the European Union in the development of the region, as pointed out by Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship
„Thanks to the European Union, we have managed to introduce investments in all areas of life – economic, social, and public. Despite this, the significant role of European funds in Poland’s development is often questioned. However, it’s worth realizing one fundamental issue. Even after paying membership dues, over the past 19 years, Poland has gained over €160 billion net thanks to the EU, which has fueled the development of the Polish economy, infrastructure, public spaces, businesses, and services.” Wiesław Raboszuk, Deputy Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship , also emphasized the benefits of Poland’s membership in the European Union . „Thanks to the European Union and the cooperation of all the countries that pay dues, less developed countries can develop. This is precisely the cooperation and solidarity of the European Union – this is its phenomenon.”
A European Union phenomenon. The EU’s 2014-2020 financial perspective is almost complete. Funding has been awarded to over 5,800 projects, totaling nearly PLN 8.7 billion. At the same time, the first calls for proposals under the European Funds for Mazovia 2021-2027 program are underway .
Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Masovian Voivodeship, speaks
Looking at the scale and diversity of European investments, it is easy to get used to positive changes in our environment.
„Membership in the European Union, however, is not only about multi-billion dollar support or conveniences in everyday life, travel, business development, and the scientific sector. It is also, and perhaps above all, a community of values,” emphasized Mariusz Frankowski, Director of the Masovian Unit for the Implementation of EU Programs. „Democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and dignity, equality, and the rule of law. These are not abstract concepts, but a guarantee of our security,” he added.
Pierwszy dzień wydarzenia stał się przestrzenią do rozmów o rozwoju potencjału innowacyjnego i konkurencyjnego regionu, transformacji energetycznej oraz zrównoważonej gospodarce. Był to również czas na dyskusje o roli kultury w obliczu wyzwań współczesności, wsparciu przedsiębiorczości, czy kampaniach marketingowych. W debatach udział wzięli przedstawiciele instytucji zarządzających pomocą europejską, m.in.: Simeon Shenev Zastępca Dyrektora Wydziału ds. Polski, Dyrekcja Generalna ds. Polityki Regionalnej i Miejskiej w Komisji Europejskiej oraz Małgorzata Szczepańska Dyrektor Departamentu Programów Wsparcia Innowacji i Rozwoju w Ministerstwie Funduszy i Polityki Regionalnej. Perspektywę sektora naukowego reprezentowali m.in.: prof. dr hab. n. med. Piotr Pruszczyk Prorektor ds. Nauki i Transferu Technologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego, prof. dr hab. Grzegorz Mazurek Rektor Akademii Leona Koźmińskiego, prof. dr hab. inż. Adam Woźniak Prorektor ds. Rozwoju Politechniki Warszawskiej, dr Piotr Dardziński Dyrektor Centrum Innowacji Politechniki Warszawskie czy dr hab. inż. Przemysław Dubel Pełnomocnik Rektora ds. Projektów Strategicznych Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego. O doświadczeniach samorządowych opowiedział Michał Olszewski Zastępca Prezydenta m.st. Warszawa czy Andrzej Nowakowski Prezydent Płocka. Nie zabrakło również głosu przedstawicieli organizacji pozarządowych, instytucji kultury, czy środowisk akademickich.
The diversity of topics and perspectives is undoubtedly a hallmark of the Masovia Development Forum. The areas of support from the European Union are just as diverse. Therefore, the second day of the event brought further interesting discussions. Together with invited experts, we discussed education tailored to the challenges of the future, planning urban development and services for residents, the practical aspects of the 15-minute city concept, the circular economy, and transport exclusion. There were also debates on the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on changes in the labor market, creating mobile applications for residents, caring for mental health, and combating social exclusion. Among those sharing their experiences were: Dr. Ilona Iłowiecka-Tańska, Deputy Program Director for Innovation at the Copernicus Science Centre, Jelena Drenjanin, Member of the European Committee of the Regions and Member of the Local Assembly of the Huddinge Commune in Sweden, Mariusz Frankowski, Director of the Masovian Unit for the Implementation of EU Programmes, Barbara Rajkowska, Deputy Head of the National Centre for Climate Change at the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute, Dr. Andrzej Kassenberg, Co-founder of the Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation, Dr. DSc, Eng. Dariusz Gotlib, prof. WUT, Vice-Dean for Development and Cooperation with the Economy at the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology, Dr. Ewa Janczar, Member of the Board for Digitization at the Mazovian Bródnowski Hospital, and Tomasz Sieradz, Director of the Voivodeship Labor Office in Warsaw.
Participants in the debate entitled: Cities for Residents or Residents for Cities?
Participants in the debate entitled From Chaos to Applications That Make Life Easier
The Masovia Development Forum wasn’t just about debates. For two days, everyone could take advantage of the exhibition and networking space co-created by the event’s 53 partners . Educational robots, virtual reality goggles, and autonomous vehicles were just a few examples of the innovations that visitors to this year’s event could experience. Representatives from leading universities in the country presented the capabilities of laboratories and technology transfer centers. Students from schools with various educational profiles showcased their achievements. Participants had a unique opportunity to test their artistic skills and immerse themselves in the world of forestry and the Masovian countryside. Participating in the event was a unique opportunity to discover Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Mińsk Mazowiecki, Węgrów, and the secrets of Kampinos National Park. The event partners invited participants to the fascinating world of Art Deco, the Romantic era, and the traditional art of papercutting. The forum also provided an opportunity to take care of their health – taking advantage of hearing, skin, and blood sugar tests, as well as creating their own perfume. There was also an opportunity to discuss ideas for future European projects. Competitions for funding from the European Funds for Mazovia 2021-2027 program and other European programs are now underway . The effects of EU aid were further explored at the „Traces of Europe” photography exhibition . Furthermore, event participants were invited to participate in a unique game of the same name, which made it even easier to discover areas supported by the European Union. And these are just some of the activities organized over the two days of the event!
Organizer: Masovian Unit for the Implementation of EU Programs
Honorary Patrons: The Forum is held under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, and the European Commission Representation in Poland. The Forum is also supported by the European Committee of the Regions.
Event partners:
Leon Kozminski University, Centre for Scientific Geospatial Analysis and Satellite Computing (CENAGIS) of the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography of the Warsaw University of Technology, Innovation Centre of the Warsaw University of Technology, Copernicus Science Centre, Centre for Technology and Knowledge Transfer of the University of Warsaw, Europe Direct Mińsk Mazowiecki, Europe Direct Ostrołęka, Digital University Foundation, Grodzisk Mazowiecki Commune, InnoTech4Life sp. z o. o. – special purpose vehicle of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Incubator of the University of Warsaw, Road and Bridge Research Institute, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, “Koleje Mazowieckie – KM” company, Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Exploitation Technology, Mazovian Energy Agency, Mazovian Regional Tourist Organization, Mazovian Specialist Hospital in Radom, Mazovian Provincial Hospital Drewnica Sp. z o. o. in Ząbki, Masovian Center for Social Policy, Masovian Credit Guarantee Fund, Masovian Institute of Culture, Masovian Regional Loan Fund, Masovian Voivodeship Center of Occupational Medicine, Med & Life Sp. z o. o., the capital city of Warsaw and the districts of Bielany, Targówek), the city of Węgrów, Mińsk Mazowiecki, the Masovian Museum in Płock, the Museum of Romanticism in Opinogóra, the Radom Village Museum in Radom, the Papercutting Museum, Nexio Management, the Social Welfare Center of the Praga-Południe District of the capital city of Warsaw Warsaw, Płock Industrial and Technological Park SA, Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, Polish Entrepreneurship Foundation, Training Games Workshop, “Zielony Latawiec” Kindergartens, Mazovian Voivodeship Government (Department of Public Education and Sport, Department of Ecological Policy, Geology and Hunting, Department of Health and Social Policy), “Między Wisłą a Kampinos” Association, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Unimos Alliance, Patent Office of the Republic of Poland, Warsaw Film School, Medical University of Warsaw, Provincial Hospital in Płock, Provincial Labor Office in Warsaw, University of Engineering and Health in Warsaw, Complex of Schools of Services and Entrepreneurship in Płock.
Media patrons: Radio Rekord, Dami Television, cozadzien.pl portal, 7 Days Regional Weekly, Ciechanów Region Opinion Magazine – Puls Ciechanowa, Radio Płońsk, Życie Żyrardowa, Teraz Środowisko portal, TV Ciechanów, Newseria Information Agency, Dziennik Warto Wiedzieć.
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GALLERY
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DEBATES
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SPEAKERS OF THE 13TH EDITION
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PARTNERS OF THE 13TH EDITION
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