INTELLIGENT SPECIALIZATION - WATER ECONOMY, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship Conference

Yesterday, on October 5, 2023 in Olsztyn, the second conference on smart specialization Water Specialization was held entitled Innovation, competitiveness, cooperation. Strategic thinking and operational action - factors determining the prospects for the development of the Smart Specialization Water Economy industries.

On behalf of the Office of the Marshal of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, the speech was presented by the Marshal of the Voivodeship, Ms. Jolanta Piotrowska, and Ms. Dorota Kopeć - Deputy Director of the Department of Regional Policy of the Office of the Marshal of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, who presented the objectives and effects that accompany the entire WaMa SmartLab project in the field of water economy bringing everyone closer to the genesis of the project and the activities that took place in this regard.

The event was carried out as part of the WAMA SMART LAB "Water Economy" initiative, which aimed to activate innovative entrepreneurs from the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship from industries that fit into the Water Economy specialization.

These include water transportation, water sports, yacht and boat manufacturing, production of machinery related to water technology and turbines and components for shipbuilding and shipbuilding, the natural environment and its protection, accommodation and wellness, and the agri-food industry.

The Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic was invited to participate to share its experience in building cooperation networks based on international projects. A presentation on the Association's activities in this regard was made by Adrianna Gniado-Turkowska, who spoke about what is the basis for building cooperation networks, what steps should be taken, what documents are important, how we combine the potentials of future consortia.

She also briefly used water-related examples talking about the NURSECOAST II, WATERMAN projects implemented from INTERREG Baltic Sea Region programs, and the recently completed SeaMan seed project implemented from the INTERREG South Baltic Seed Money program. All of these projects also involve municipalities in Warmia and Mazury.

Also worthy of great attention was another project presented by a conference participant operating in the area of Smart Specialization "Water Economics", such as the research and development work in the field of water turbines of a family company from the Warmian-Masurian province. Good examples are always an impulse for other entrepreneurs, but also a confirmation that with hard work you can not only realize your own professional plans, but also be part of the development of regions, which gives a positive brand image and opens the gates at the level of also international. Another example from the Warmia and Mazury region is the innovative EcoTabs technology project for removing contaminants from water and sludge. In a revolutionary way, with emphasis on bio solutions, the topic was presented by the chairman of the board of Eco Life System Sp. z o.o. Mr. Waldemar Wojciechowicz.

It is also important to mention the field of tourism, which has a lot to do with the water area. The organizers made sure to include examples in this area from other parts of the country such as spa culture and the possibilities for developing this segment. The presentation was made by Dr. Monika Knefel, founder of the European Research Institute for Smart Specializations using her own scientific and research examples.

Other presentations of the conference included, for example, optimization of supply chains in the catering and hospitality industry topics presented by Mr. Adam Kuna, Expert of the Academy of Catering and Hotel Practices, or "Service Design - towards building customer satisfaction, brand and maximizing revenue. The creative sector and its role in tourism," which was presented by Dr. Marcin Chlodnicki, founder of Service Design Poland, Collegium Da Vinci, as well as the topic "Cyber security in small and medium-sized enterprises - an overview of threats." into this issue was introduced to the participants by Young Inspector Dr. Michal Bukowski, Director of the Institute of Criminal Service at the Police Academy in Szczytno.

This conference is financed by the European Social Fund under the Technical Assistance of the Regional Operational Program of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020.