On Wednesday (15^th December) a funding agreement was signed for the project titled "We Create + We Develop + We Activate + We Motivate + We Determine + We Change = KROSNO", implemented under the Local Development Program. Krosno received about PLN 15 million from the Norwegian Funds for projects improving the quality of life, implemented in cooperation with nine partners.

The project will have been implemented by April 30, 2024, a total value of the project amounts to PLN 17,757,066.33. Eligible expenses include PLN 15,328,498.86 and are co-financed 85% from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and 15% from the state budget.

- ‘The project combines a great number of aspects that, as a single whole, are intended to make our city more and more attractive to live, develop and do business,’ stresses Mayor Piotr Przytocki. - At its core are activities aimed at young people, as well as those concerning stimulating local entrepreneurship and building a "green", friendly city. The largest investment projects are: the construction of bicycle infrastructure along the Wislok River, awaited by residents, the creation of a meeting place for young people in the very center of the city, and the creation of new parks and places for leisure activities. In addition, together with our partners, we have prepared a whole range of very attractive soft projects,’ the mayor informs.

- The institutional aspect of the project is also important, adds Dr. Tomasz Soliński, deputy mayor. - The city will carry out a number of tasks to improve the quality of services to residents. These will include activities concerning strategic management, implementation of accessibility standards, strengthening cooperation with the third sector and developing modern forms of public participation. It should be emphasized that the project was created in a bottom-up manner, with the participation of residents, institutions and NGOs, and will be implemented in the same way, the deputy mayor stresses.

The following is a summary of information about all the projects that will be implemented under the project, both by the city and the partners.

KROSNO CITY

Undertakings being the part of the Local Development Plan:

• Construction of bicycle and walking paths along the Wislok River - bicycle and walking paths of about 2.2 km in length will be created, along with small architecture and recreational equipment in rest areas. The route runs in the immediate vicinity of the Wislok River, between Bursaki, Legionów, Okrzei, Cicha streets.
• Pocket parks as the green, micro relax zones– includes preparation of technical documentation and development of green areas in the vicinity of residential areas or public roads. These will be leisure and recreation micro-parks on Lwowska and Piastowska Streets. The concept of their development will be created with the participation of residents, in a process of public participation. The pocket parks are places where residents will be able to feel as if they were in their own garden - full of colourful flowers and green trees, where every person, regardless of age, will find something for themselves.
• Development of the square on Chopina Street in Krosno as a sensory park– in the surroundings of allotment gardens on Chopina Street, a park of 0.7 hectares will be created, with the following functions: recreation, leisure, rehabilitation, including the use of horticulture - a sensory garden for the disabled will be arranged on part of the park. The project includes the construction of a gazebo, piers, footpaths, construction of a dry river, installation of small architecture and landscaping.
• ‘On Themselves’ – establishment of the Youth Activity Center – development of technical documentation, investment work in the historic basement of the Rynek 6 tenement house, and implementation of youth initiatives. The Youth Activity Center is a place for meetings, including informal ones, developing passions, establishing contacts, exchanging experiences. Young people will participate in every stage of the design, and their comments and suggestions will be taken into account in determining how to develop the facility, including interior design. The place will be equipped with all necessary elements, including: furniture, decorations, sound equipment, household appliances and RTV equipment, ICT equipment. Young people will also shape the program and organize events on their own, with the support of mentors. The planned events include workshops, youth forums, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, reading and poetry meetings, a nationwide exchange of projects by and for young people, and a youth TEDx.
• Effective career planning as an increase in market opportunities pracy – comprehensive activities in the field of career counselling. The project includes training of teaching staff, purchase of teaching aids, and implementation of career counselling workshops for elementary and secondary school students. In addition, educational picnics, science and technology festivals, meetings with entrepreneurs, as well as a social campaign promoting education in technical professions needed in the local labour market will be organized.
• Inhabitants of Krosno to Krosno inhabitants – workshop on traditions - Intergenerational workshops on folk and traditional culture, held at the Krosno Land Etnocenter. Their goal is to foster a sense of local and regional identity. The starting point for the project will be field research - a search for traditional culture resources in districts that once did not administratively belong to the borders of our city (Białobrzegi, Polanka, Turaszówka, Suchodol, Krościenko Niżne). This will be followed by various workshops, including herbalism, ornithology, music, as well as dances and concerts.

Undertakings being the part of the Institutional Development Plan:

• Krosno – a city intelligently managed - strengthening strategic management and building a system of strategic control- purchase of software and implementation of procedures for systemic management of processes, projects, programs and portfolios of the nature of comprehensive organizational change, including the dimensions of: organizational culture, management competence, organizational structure, policies and procedures of operation, documents supported by modern systems supporting management and communication.
• The house of values - shaping a values-based organizational culture - developing a catalog of the most important values for the organizational culture of the City of Krosno, updating and adapting existing procedures to the catalog of values. The undertaking will contribute to increasing the quality of services provided to residents.
• E-Office – digital transformation of Krosno's administration - virtual office for residents' service – the project includes, among others: promotion of e-services among residents, creation of a chatbot for serving residents on the City Hall website, development of services related to the presentation of open data.
• Professional official - review and improvement of competence management system – The aim of the project is to improve the efficiency of task implementation, increase the institutional capacity and competence of the local administration and improve public services. It consists of an audit of competencies and training needs, the development of a catalogue of key competencies, the implementation of a training program, and the implementation of a competence management system at the Krosno City Hall.
• Krosno - a city accessible to everyone - implementation of accessibility standards – conducting an accessibility audit of urban spaces and public services, workshop training on accessibility for employees of the City Hall, municipal companies and organizational units, and developing a strategy for improving accessibility in Krosno.
• Preparation of an orthophotomap, 3D model and numerical terrain model for the area of the City of Krosno – a complete platform for studying and analysing objects in two-dimensional and three-dimensional space will be created. The cutting-edge component with the greatest functionality is the 3D model, which, in addition to spatial information, also shows other attributes of objects, such as surface texture and colour.
• Active citizens and strong NGOs - NGO institutional strengthening program – the development of the NGO Support Center, increasing the level of cooperation between NGOs, and at the same time equipping local leaders with tools to create grassroots initiatives and pro-development activities for the city, implemented by the residents themselves. The undertaking envisages, among other things, the organization of training courses, workshops, consultations for NGOs in thematic panels, the organization of study visits and the Local Initiatives Forum.
• City of Entrepreneurs. Establishment of the Krosno Business Council – Establishment of an advisory body to the mayor, bringing together socially engaged representatives of entrepreneurs, who will be involved in the processes of jointly developing solutions for the development of entrepreneurship in the city and public services for business.
• Dialogue of local government with stakeholders, activation of residents and increasing the effectiveness of participatory methods of implementation of activities - Implementation of a number of activities aimed at improving social dialogue by strengthening competencies and raising awareness of dialogue among both local government employees and stakeholders, as well as the creation of an Innovation Incubator - a formula that allows for the ongoing creation, development and monitoring of the effectiveness of forms of social participation.

PARTNER UNDERTAKINGS:

Carpathian State University in Krosno

• Organization of dual degree programs in the field of automation and robotics – the main objective of the project is to increase the number of highly qualified employees with competencies sought by employers. The task will be implemented in cooperation with entrepreneurs, who, thanks to the dual education system, will have a real impact on the training of future employees. Students of dual studies, through the opportunity to deepen their educational effects during internships in a real work environment, will be better prepared to perform their professional tasks.
• Popularization of science among elementary school students – fostering interests in technology, information technology, mathematics and science, as well as competencies in creativity, innovation and critical thinking, through innovative classes at the Carpathian State University. Young people from Krosno elementary schools will be able to participate in workshops in programming and robotics, entrepreneurship, mathematics, natural experiments, ecology, among others.
• Gain experience and skills with the Carpathian State University in Krosno – activities for high school students aimed at developing technical and IT competencies and enhancing employability. They mainly include: inspiring and intellectually stimulating lectures, organization of hackathons - programming marathons, "escape room" competitions, competitions for future engineers, e-sports competitions, thematic Olympiads and cooperation of scientific circles with schools.
• Youngsters closer to business - the implementation of the task is aimed at linking the education system with the needs of the local economy: greater orientation of the university on practical education, growth of start-up initiatives and business activities, formation of entrepreneurial attitudes among pupils and students, strengthening cooperation with entrepreneurs. The university will organize job fairs and industry seminars at the interface between academic education and business, on new technologies, implementation of modern production systems and changes related to Industry 4.0.

Guild of Miscellaneous Crafts

• How To Become a Craftman – series of professional trainings – vocational training is to give competencies to future employees, in professions sought after by local entrepreneurs - craftsmen. The preparation and implementation of the training offer will be preceded by a detailed diagnosis of the demand for employees.
• Local Entrepreneur Networking - building and maintaining relationships, or networking, is an effective business development tool. It helps attract customers and business partners. The venture will focus primarily on the food, restaurant and unique products industries of the city. During the networking meetings, a group of LAO - Local, Active, Open Entrepreneurs - will be formed.
• „Take a Look Into the Guild” – craft workshop - the venture involves the promotion and organization of a variety of craft workshops, aimed mainly at Krosno families and tourists. The masters or journeymen will present their work to the participants of the meetings in a workshop manner, involving them in the interaction. The purpose of the meetings is to showcase crafts as a vocational path and increase the tourist attractiveness of Krosno. For younger participants, the classes will be in the form of a game, where everyone will be able to step into the role empirically and see what the profession is all about. For older ones, the classes will be expanded to include career counselling, where craftsmen will face questions from young people and talk about the challenges and benefits of the profession they work in.
• Crafts Fair - the event is mainly aimed at integration, especially among local craftsmen, who will have the opportunity to present their products or services to the city community and tourists. The fair will not lack music and attractions - craft workshops for children and young people. The scenario will be created in cooperation with, among others, the Craft Museum, the High School Complex No. 2 "Szpetnar" and the LAO group - Local, Active, Open Entrepreneurs.

B-4 Association

• Comprehensive program of trainings and workshops aimed at developing soft skills and competencies of young people living in Krosno – extracurricular activities for high school students in the form of trainings and training sessions developing a wide range of soft skills, including: workshops on self-presentation and stress resilience, training in creativity and creative thinking, training in self-confidence and assertiveness as well as communication and problem-solving, training in effective and efficient learning and time management.

Krosno University of the Third Age Association

• Active eco-seniors learn and share experience – organization of study visits to institutions dealing with environmental protection, lectures, workshops, meetings with experts, exhibitions of artwork and handicrafts, and preparation of materials to educate residents about ecology and environmental protection.

The Ultra Foundation

• Integration of different social groups through sports and recreation – purchase of sports equipment and implementation of activities. Sports and recreational activities for residents will be tailored to all age groups - from children and adolescents through adults to seniors with limited mobility. At the same time, the offer will be diverse, so that the project will meet the expectations of residents to the maximum extent.

Children and Youth Culture Association DYSONANS

• "Creative minds" - developing the creativity of Krosno children and young people - an educational program for children and young people, oriented to the development of creativity and 21st century skills, i.e.: creativity, innovation, adapting to new conditions, bringing tasks to completion, teamwork, building good relations, recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities. In addition to cyclical classes, the organization of the Krosno KaFKa Festival of Creativity is planned.

Kogel Mogel Association

• Community organizing in the city of Krosno - the project will focus on motivating the local community into action, based on the idea of community organizing. Organizing groups, which will result in grassroots initiatives, will become the basis for a gradual increase in the involvement of Krosno residents not only in issues directly related to the immediate neighbourhood, but ultimately also more broadly (on the scale of the entire city), creating the ground for the actual development of civil society.

Carpathian Social Economy Cluster Foundation

• Establishment of touristic narrative paths - creation of narrative thematic paths and their multimedia "packaging" with the help of a dedicated website. Visitors will be able to choose the paths that interest them and take part in active sightseeing, spending much more time within the city, and positively tired visitors will be more likely to take advantage of the gastronomy or accommodation on offer. Building paths around specific elements will have a grassroots character and will be participated in by the city's residents, which will have an impact on building local identity and shaping Krosno's brand ambassadors.
• A promotional campaign „KROSNO – A CITY OF MANY PATHS” – nationwide promotion of thematic paths developed with residents, including in the form of a video spot, podcast, social media campaign, in cooperation with influencers and bloggers, articles and ads in the media.

City of Gdynia – will participate in the implementation of the Institutional Development Plan in Krosno, as an advisory body. Its representatives will share their experience in the field of accessibility standards implementation, social dialogue and participation as well as the institutional strengthening of non-governmental organizations.

The project „We create+ We develop+ We activate+ We motivate+ We determine+ We change= KROSNO” implemented as a part of the Local Development Programme, co-financed in 85 % from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and in 15 % from the State Budget.

„Working together for a green, competitive and inclusive Europe"

The amount of funding received is 15,328,498.86 PLN. The beneficiary/lead partner is the Municipality of Krosno. The aim of the project is to comprehensively improve the quality of life in Krosno and better adapt Krosno's administration to the needs of its residents.

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