We support the implementation of decentralization reforms in Ukraine by training clerical staff and conducting post-graduate studies for local government officials and senior officials and employees of ministries.

DOBRE is intended to strengthen local governance, deepen democracy, build prosperity, and promote stability. DOBRE builds stronger communities through community-driven development, in which citizens work together with their local government to improve their lives. Partnerships across civil society, the private sector, and government will provide tangible results through new economic opportunities and better managed local services as well as a foundation for future cooperation and development. The achievements of this model of governance will provide an example to other communities in Ukraine, and broaden the appeal and impact of decentralization.

The USAID-funded DOBRE program intends to help those new local governments effectively manage these new responsibilities, and support the development of stronger community cohesion through citizen engagement in these new communities.

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Developing Innovative Sustainable Cooperation Opportunities (DISCO) project aims to strengthen the innovation capacity of European higher education institutions (HEIs) through shared learning, cooperation and flow of knowledge among the three participating HEIs, one non-profit enterprise and one small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), representing the broader innovation ecosystem.

DISCO will boost the development of innovation and entrepreneurship skills in the entire knowledge triangle. This will be achieved through student training, advisory and coaching support for start-ups and scale-ups, as well as structured capacity-building among scientific and non-scientific staff of participating HEIs. The project will achieve its aims by designing and creating new forms of cooperation and experimentation through innovation labs, an observatory and the development of a common massive open online course, all with a view to supporting the development of a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mindsets across the EU.

The project will: train over 1 000 students and mentor 100; train 75 academic staff members and mentor 30; train 75 non-academic staff representatives and mentor 30, respectively. They will also assist 30 start-ups and scale-ups throughout the project’s duration.

DISCO partnerships will implement a coherent and comprehensive set of six actions. They will focus on institutional engagement for the Innovation Vision Action Plan, new collaborations, exchanging good practices, start-up and scale-up support, innovation-driven research, training and mentoring for students and staff.

Partners:

• All-Ukrainian Public Association of Innovative Space Clusters,
• European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT),
• International Cyber Academy,
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts,
• Lviv Polytechnic National University,
• Malopolska School of Public Administration Krakow University of Economics (MSAP UEK) - leader,
• Shine2Europe,
• Sumy State University,
• Ternopil Regional Council.

Visit project website: https://heidisco.com/

View project profile at HEI Initiative website: https://eit-hei.eu/projects/disco/

Social sciences play an important role in recognising and understanding the mechanisms and effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Its impact on business, the labour market, and coordination mechanisms is central to both theoretical and applied challenges.

The project's main goal is to develop the Krakow University of Economics' potential in the field of advanced research on the Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as the ability to effectively manage that potential. This goal is being pursued through a broad research programme that targets the following nine focal issues:

• The complexity of managing organisations during the Fourth Industrial Revolution
• Digitalization of production and management processes
• Transformations in financial markets and key market institutions
• Product management
• New industrial relations
• Mobilising resources for the new economy
• Regulatory policy
• Mechanisms for coordinating collective action
• Models of production and distribution of public goods and services

Members of research teams assigned to each focal issue conduct theoretical and empirical research, the findings of which are discussed at scientific seminars, published in scientific journals and monographs, and presented at national and international conferences. The project implementation concept allows representatives from all scientific disciplines pursued at CUE to participate while also providing a platform for scientific knowledge exchange and integration across a broad spectrum of social science disciplines.

The project will support the implementation of the second stage of the spatial planning system reform in Poland. Its aim is to develop (as a result of research) and prepare for the implementation of model solutions in the field of: increasing the resilience and security of Poland's space in the context of key development challenges, regional and sub-local (local) planning, and the implementation of public investments in the spatial planning system. It is a response to the weaknesses of the current spatial management system in Poland. Moreover, its implementation results from the need to integrate spatial and strategic planning (in the context of the reform of the country's development management system) and to strengthen the proactive attitudes of spatial planning institutions towards the main development challenges of the country. Within the project, basic research and development works have been planned and they are aimed at: developing the existing state of knowledge in the concept of spatial resilience and evaluating the current experience of spatial policy at the regional, functional and sub-local scale, along with definining the assumptions of a new spatial planning model in Poland. The project involves the development of new planning solutions and significant improvements to the existing system of planning tools. Pre-implementation works of the project will include, among others: consultations and opinions on developed solutions, pilots of new models of regional and sub-local planning, activities strengthening human capital for the implementation of spatial policy in its new model and legislative works. The project provides for the intense involvement of local governments and other spatial planning stakeholders in producing its results. The main target groups of the project are entities responsible for shaping and conducting spatial policy at its various levels (including municipal and voivodeship governments, local and regional planning staff and urban planners).

Project titled "A new model of regional and local spatial planning to ensure the resilience and security of Poland's spatial structure in the context of contemporary development challenges" (ReActPlan), co-financed by the National Center for Research and Development as part of the Strategic Program for Scientific Research and Development "Social and economic development of Poland in conditions of the globalizing markets" GOSPOSTRATEG IX, implemented by the Consortium composed of: the Institute of Urban and Regional Development (Consortium Leader), the Ministry of Development and Technology and the University of Economics in Krakow (Agreement No. GOSPOSTRATEG9/0015/2022 concluded on July 14, 2023).

The main goal

Building a system of coordination of activities in the Małopolska Region aimed at supporting lifelong learning, including vocational education, higher education and adult learning.

This will contribute to strengthen the adjustment of education and training to the needs of the labor market, social changes taking place in the region and the promotion of lifelong learning.

The system of coordination of activities in the region is based on the Regional Coordination Team established by the Board of the Małopolska Region. The Regional Coordination Team consists of representatives of key entities aimed at developing skills in the Małopolska Region. Regional Coordination Team, in accordance with the guidelines indicated in the Polish Recovery and Resilience Plan, takes into account the representation of five pillars, i.e. education – leading authorities responsible for schools, economy, strategic management, European funds and social dialogue.

The following activities are planned within the project:

• research and analytical component - conducting research and analyzes in the field of lifelong learning and skills development,
• specific/pilot activities regarding the development of a system for promoting activities in the field of lifelong learning, in particular the development and promotion of cooperation between schools and employers/the business environment.

Project budget: 21 481 592 zł

Project implementation period: 01.01.2023 - 30.06.2026

Project Leader: Department of Education, Marshal's Office of the Małopolska Region

Project Partner: Malopolska School of Public Administration, Krakow University of Economics

Project Implementers:

1. Provincial Labor Office in Krakow
2. Małopolska Teacher Development Center
3. Department of Regional Development - Marshal's Office of the Małopolska Region