The meeting was attended by representatives of Biłgoraj, Piła, Włocławek, Rumia, Legnica, Hajnówka, Tomaszów Mazowiecki and Łomża.

What brought urban community representatives to Hajnówka?

Marcin Popkiewicz – megatrend analyst, expert and journalist focusing on connections in economy-energy-resources-environment fields was the guest speaker and expert. He is also the author of bestsellers Świat na rozdrożu (The World at a Crossroads), Rewolucja energetyczna. Ale po co? (Energy Revolution. Who Needs It?) and Nauka o klimacie (Climate Science). Assisted by the expert, local government officials present at the meeting tried to comprehend energy transformation, discussing how to “dig ourselves out of the hole we have found ourselves in.”

Experience Exchange Networks are an opportunity to present good urban practices. During the October meeting, a representative of Włocławek presented concepts of how the city works to support the climate and energy. Representative of Tomaszów Mazowiecki described the adaptable city notion. A representative of the host town spoke of the “Green Transformation, Hajnówka” urban greenery-related project delivery. Rumia presented outcomes of introducing rainwater collection system fees.

Aldo Vargas-Tetmajer of the URBACT National Liaison Office (and Association of Polish Cities) gave a presentation on the URBACT method. Association of Polish Cities advisor Zdzisław Czucha moderated a workshop exploring the energy challenge.

Hajnówka enchanted meeting attendants with attractions prepared to welcome its guests.

Notably, EMPIRIAE Experience Exchange Networks are a unique Association of Polish Cities project based on the popular networking concept, delivered as part of the “Local Development” Programme.

The Networks are a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, bringing together representatives of cities and towns offered the capacity to learn from each other and develop new solutions associated with specific issues, of key importance to the development of small and medium-sized cities and towns.

EMPIRIAE are an opportunity to consult individual activities with a broad specialist and expert community. They allow a fresh take on any given issue, as well as immediate feedback and evaluation of any action taken. They let other cities’ and towns’ experience be used in a creative way.

The Network focuses on issues key to the development of Polish cities and towns, closely related to activities submitted as part of the “Local Development” Programme delivery.