The 10th European Congress of Local Governments took place on March 3–4, 2025, at the Gołębiewski Hotel in Mikołajki, bringing together over 2,500 participants from Poland and abroad. Among them were local government leaders, representatives of state administration, non-governmental organizations, businesses, as well as the academic and cultural sectors.
We are pleased to emphasize that the Center for Development Strategies was a partner of the anniversary Congress. Representatives and experts from the Foundation actively participated in numerous debates, focusing on seeking consensus in key areas. Several of these discussions are particularly worth highlighting.
Marcin Chludziński, Chairman of the Council of the Center for Development Strategies Foundation, moderated a panel on public acceptance of energy investments. During the discussion, it was emphasized that communication builds relationships, relationships foster trust, and trust creates responsibility. Investors should regard the local community as part of the ecosystem and assume partial responsibility for it, as this is a long-term commitment.
Experts from the Center for Development Strategies, Krzysztof Góra and Dominik Wiszniewski, presented the Foundation’s report: “Insolvent Payer. The Financial Crisis in Healthcare in 2024 – Causes, Consequences, and Conclusions.” The presentation of the document provided an opportunity for a discussion on the debt burden of medical facilities and the need for systemic changes in the healthcare financing model.
At the conclusion of the Congress, Marcin Chludziński participated in a debate on the future of the ETS2 emissions trading system, which is set to cover buildings owned by businesses, households, and local governments as early as 2027. The discussion highlighted the evolving approach to climate policy—there is less focus on energy transition and more on increasing competitiveness. In the context of Poland, the key challenge remains ensuring the lowest possible energy costs, as this will ultimately determine GDP growth and the competitiveness of the economy.
Among the numerous thematic tracks, the most popular panels focused on digital transformation, sustainable development, and financing regional projects. Once again, the European Congress of Local Governments reaffirmed its position as the largest platform in Poland for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices among local government representatives and all stakeholders in local affairs.
We are pleased that the Center for Development Strategies had the opportunity to inspire many participants of the 10th European Congress of Local Governments with the idea of seeking developmental consensus. Our goal remains unchanged—to build a strong, competitive, and secure Poland based on collaboration and innovative solutions.
