The signing ceremony was held during a “Local Development”-themed conference.

The document will allow multifaceted collaboration with the Norwegian partner, involving i.a. good practice exchange. Conference invitations were sent out to a Norwegian partner delegation, members of the Polish parliament, and representatives of the local government, business circles, assorted organisations and associations, the Development Council, Senior Citizens’ Council of Zawiercie, Youth Council of the Zawiercie Municipality, and Zawiercie Youth Forum. Marta Czarniak represented the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

The meeting was an excellent opportunity to discuss fundamental assumptions to the Local Development Plan and Institutional Development Plan the municipality will be implementing over the coming years.

Zawiercie is in the count of victorious grant municipalities, having been awarded PLN 15 million from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism to deliver a “Local Development” Programme project. The money will be chiefly used to develop new Economic Activity Area infrastructure. Local government representatives have estimated that once the local Podmiejska street has been rebuilt, Zawiercie will be able to attract no less than six new investors over the coming years, with a minimum of 120 new jobs created.

The grant will also help the municipality develop favourable conditions to create jobs at local businesses, primarily for young people and persons with disabilities. A local Promotion, Innovation, Labour Market and Vocation Forum will be formed, as well as a Career Centre for secondary school students and graduates. Activities have also been planned to prevent violence and addiction in the young people’s community, and assist the most needful.

The grant will allow staff competencies to be developed, thus improving the quality of public services provided to local residents.