Polish transformation: decentralization, local self-governments, cross-border and interregional cooperation
The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth insight of the impact of decentralization and the functioning of local self-governments on the process of successful socio-economic transformation in Poland after 1989. During the course, we will learn the details of Polish reforms process in the area of local self-government and their significance for the course of transformation from a centrally controlled economy to a free market economy and the democratization of the state. We will analyze how it happened that the central state transferred some of its competences and financial resources to lower-level local government authorities. The aim of the course will be to analyze the legal, political, financial and practical aspects of the decentralization process. We will also look at the processes, formats and models of cross-border cooperation and international interregional cooperation. We will also place the issue in the context of the European Union. The general processes discussed will also be illustrated in a specific case study of a successful transformation using the example of the city of Wroclaw and the Lower Silesia region.
Course Language: English
Duration: 24.06.-17.07.2025
Format: Fully online
Platform: Google Meet
Technical support: SEW UW,
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Participants: citizens of former Soviet Union countries
Fee: articipation is free of charge. Upon completion, participants will receive a graduation diploma and certificate.
Applications for participation are accepted until May 27, 2025 (5.00 pm).
Please send applications (a short CV + a statement of motivation (up to 2000 characters) + a photo of the document confirming citizenship (with visible name, surname, and date of birth – other information can be blurred) in ONE FILE to the email:
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Course Completion Requirements:
1. Attendance (minimum 90%)
2. Essay (2-3 pages) – topic: The role of local self-governments in the transformation in your country
Topics:
The structure and competences of local self-governments in Poland
Decentralization of state finances, sources of financing for local self-governments
Infrastructure, transport, municipal economy, public policies, spatial management at the local level – local development strategies
The importance of European integration for local self-governments
Instruments to support entrepreneurship, investment, innovation and startups at the local level
International cooperation of local self-governments – legal regulations and practice
Cross-border cooperation – Euroregions and EGTC
Case study – the success story of the city of Wrocław and the region of Lower Silesia
Lecturer bio:
Bartłomiej Ostrowski – President of the International Partnership Foundation. Previously, from 2020-2022, Vice-President of the ALDA European Association for Local Democracy in Strasbourg, an organization affiliated with the Council of Europe. ALDA operates Local Democracy Agencies in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, as well as the Balkans, North Africa, and Turkey. Mr. Formerly, Mr. Ostrowski served as Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Lower Silesian Marshal’s Office and as Director of the Lower Silesia Representation to the EU in Brussels. He also worked as a diplomat – Counselor at the Polish Embassy and Deputy Director of the Polish Institute in Moscow.
More:
https://studium.uw.edu.pl/event/invitation-to-online-courses-on-eastern-europe-and-central-asia/
You may also like the following events from Studium Europy Wschodniej UW:
- This month, 30th June, 09:00 am, Call for proposals - 21. Warsaw East European Conference in Warsaw
- This September, 15th September, 05:00 pm, Nabór tekstów do nowego numeru czasopisma „Obóz” in Warsaw
- This October, 1st October, 07:00 am, Online course: The fall of communism and political and economical transformation of CEE in Warsaw, Poland
