INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Bydgoszcz, 30 October 2025 – Marshal Piotr Całbecki, President of the Regional Parliament Elżbieta Piniewska, Vice-Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski, Voivode of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Michał Sztybel, Vice-President of the Regional Parliament Przemysław Sznajdrowski, Member of the Regional Board Marek Wojtkowski, along with representatives of the regional councils of city mayors, county heads, town and commune leaders, and regional councillors, met today in Bydgoszcz for the Regional Local Government Forum.

The discussions focused on, among other topics, a summary of 25 years of regional development policy and the planned update of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Development Strategy.

Focus on the Future

“Our meeting today is mainly devoted to what the future will bring. The development strategy we prepared a few years ago is losing relevance not only because around 40 percent of the tasks it contained have already been completed, but also because the circumstances have changed dramatically. The pandemic, and now the war in Ukraine – all these factors have forced changes in strategies from Brussels down to the member states.

Member states, including Poland, are now focusing on defence and building resilience against various crises. We are currently conducting a mid-term review of our regional programme European Funds for Kujawsko-Pomorskie. We need to adjust this document somewhat – 10 percent of the remaining funds will be directed towards building resilience and improving public safety, in coordination with the voivode and complementing the government’s actions,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki during a press briefing before the event.

He also noted that the debate on the EU budget for 2028–2034 is already underway:

“We are already planning what we will implement in the next seven-year period. Hence the need to revise our strategy, and today we are launching that discussion. The most important thing is that the agreed goals and plans are realistic, aligned with social expectations, and responsive to current challenges. Security is one issue, but we must also address education levels, demographic changes and depopulation, as well as development problems in cities and rural areas,” the Marshal emphasized.

During today’s meeting, distinguished local government representatives received congratulatory diplomas on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of local self-government in Poland.

Established in 2016, the Regional Local Government Forum of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship serves as a platform for debate, cooperation, and representation of the interests of all local governments in the region.

Today’s meeting took place in the Opera Nova complex. Before the start of the event, participants toured the so-called fourth stage of the Opera Nova building, currently under construction — one of the most important investments in the region.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship
October 30, 2025