The meeting was held as part of the implementation of the project ‘Continuation of Bilateral Cooperation between Polish, Norwegian and Icelandic Municipalities as an Example of Establishing Lasting Relations after Local Development Programme and Expanding Cooperation in the Preparation of the Next Financial Perspective’, which has been in progress since the spring of this year. The intention of the project is to facilitate the continuation of cooperation between all interested Norwegian/Icelandic cities/municipalities and the 53 Polish cities that participated in Phases II and III of Local Development Programme within the EEA and NMF 2014-2021, after the Local Development Programme has ended, as a bridge to the new financial perspective of the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

One of the activities carried out during this one-year project includes meetings of the four EMPIRIE Experience Exchange Networks with experts from Norway and Iceland. This time the Human Resource Management EEN meeting was attended by experts from Norway: Alexander Tymczuk (KS), Espen Idsøe from the Stavanger Office, Tale Nesmann Berntsen from the Bergen Office. Substantive support was provided by advisors from ZMP: Anna Żabińska-Pioterek, Grzegorz Dziarski, Krzysztof Markiel, Henryka Korytowska.

Human resources management is a field that plays a strategic role in the effective functioning of self-governments. The Human Resources Management Empirie is a logical consequence, complement and development (also by presenting solutions from Norway).

During the EEN in Licheń, participants not only learned about the latest trends and methodologies in HR, but also had the opportunity to exchange experiences with representatives of local governments from Poland and Norway.

The meeting was an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills, but also contributed to strengthening cooperation between local governments. One of the most valuable elements was the participation of experts from Norway, who presented their experience in personnel management in administration. They discussed, among other things: promoting work-life balance and the kaizen suggestion system, as well as ways to support employees in difficult life moments.

Of particular interest were methods and techniques for talent acquisition or management, which are based on open communication and the inclusion of employees in decision-making processes. Together with the Norwegian guests, a number of discussions were held on the realities of working in public office in the context of the Gallup and ADP Research Institute's findings on activating personnel, talent and strengths management. These discussions were framed by the books - ‘Nine Lies About Work’ by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall and ‘Love+Work’ by Marcus Buckingham.