ECS Katowice 2024 consortium

The consortium of institutions responsible for awarding the title of European City of Science 2024 to Katowice is formed by:

Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice,
Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice,
Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice,
Silesian University of Technology,
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice,
University of Economics in Katowice,
University of Silesia in Katowice (leader),
City of Katowice (strategic partner).

About strategic partnership

Katowice’s bid for the title of European City of Science 2024, as well as for the right to co-organise EuroScience Open Forum in 2022 and host EuroScience Open Forum in 2024, are a special opportunity and challenge for the academic community of Katowice. They fit in with the idea of replacing heavy and mining industry which recedes into the past with scientific research, advanced education and close cooperation between the universities and their environment as the new development engine for the city, metropolis and region.

The proper use of the title of European City of Science 2024 awarded to Katowice may significantly contribute to increasing the importance of scientific research, academic education and science communication on the level of the city, metropolis and region.

At the same time, the bid is an impulse for the universities to cooperate more closely as parties to this agreement for the purpose of organising prestigious large-scale events, which would exceed the individual potential of any of them. Close cooperation between universities also allows them to apply for investment measures adequate to the capabilities of Katowice, Metropolis GZM and Silesian Voivodeship, corresponding to the needs and ambitions to transform the Upper Silesia into one of the leading European research and education centres, contributing to the increase of its development opportunities and attractiveness for the most creative representatives of young generations, and particularly improving the quality of life for the region inhabitants.

Taking the above into consideration, the parties are establishing a strategic partnership for the implementation of scientific, educational and cultural initiatives intended to prepare and carry out projects implementing the idea of Katowice as European City of Science 2024, including in particular the regional headquarters of registered office of EuroScience Open Forum in 2022, and location of the Forum’s main sessions in 2024.

Moreover, the parties also declare the intent to continue and maintain selected initiatives undertaken as part of this agreement after 2024.

Strategic partnership goals

The universities will prepare and carry out joint scientific, science communication and educational projects, in particular related to:

role of science in handling climate crisis and other civilisation threats;
role of science in energy, social and digital transformation, especially related to the changes in Silesia and Zagłębie which result from the need to stop mining and burning coal, high-emission industrial activity and create new development opportunities and possibilities within the model of green and environmentally-friendly economy and lifestyle;
role of science in creating and implementing new technologies, artificial intelligence and developing the related professional and social competencies;
increasing interdisciplinarity in the approach to solving social, technological and regulatory issues; enhancing the spirit of European integration, international and intercultural cooperation, as well as deepening the relations between academic communities of the parties and their foreign partners.

The projects prepared and carried out within the framework of cooperation will include the pursuit for increasing the social impact of science on the life of the inhabitants of Katowice, Metropolis GZM and Silesian Voivodeship, and in particular strengthening the academic image of Katowice.

The campaign for awarding the prestigious European City of Science 2024 title to Katowice has its roots in several years of dynamic and successful cooperation between the City of Katowice and the University of Silesia in Katowice for the organisation of Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE (ŚFN). Thanks to its five editions, which turned ŚFN into one of the largest science communication events in Poland and Europe, a number of activities were taken in order to establish a modern science centre in the city. Due to the wide-ranging international cooperation (e.g contact with foreign science festivals), ŚFN also began to communicate with EuroScience, which invited Katowice to start individual negotiations for awarding the European City of Science 2024 title.

Announcement on awarding the title of European City of Science 2024 to Katowice and signature of the consortium agreement between ECS 2024 organisers took place on 22 December 2021 during the press conference organised at the Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library (CINiBA). The institutions, consortium members, will cooperate in the preparation and actual events related to awarding the title of European City of Science 2024.

The universities associated in the project are leading the major region transformation – a civilisational leap thanks to the new industry, i.e. science and academic education. The civilisational transformation of Katowice does not mean breaking the bonds with the unique identity of Silesia and Zagłębie, which developed thanks to the huge industry heritage of the region. On the contrary, high technical standards, centuries-long familiarity with advanced technologies and work organisation, primacy of competence and diligence in assessing a human being and the resulting tolerance provide great support in building the innovation and smart industry culture – here, in Katowice, more than anywhere else. And, just like it happened for many centuries, in the near future the region’s science and education industry will retain and attract employees and residents from different parts of Poland and the world, as well as the most talented young people from Silesia and the Zagłębie region.