Young Regional Leaders Ready to Make a Difference
Marshal Piotr Całbecki met on Friday (4 September) with participants in the sixth edition of the “Forge of Regional Leaders” educational and civic programme, as well as alumni of previous editions. The programme is run in cooperation with the Faculty of Theology at Nicolaus Copernicus University. During the meeting, the young participants received certificates confirming their involvement in a programme that has equipped them with skills including effective teamwork and public debating.
“The ‘Forge of Regional Leaders’ is attracting growing interest among young people. More than 120 participants have already taken part, dedicating their time to gaining inspiration and the skills they need to take bold action in their everyday lives. Please remember that being a leader is not simply about leading others – above all, it means taking responsibility for them,” Marshal Piotr Całbecki told the young participants, thanking them for taking part in the programme.
This year’s edition brought together 22 young people who took part in workshops on public speaking, media and local government, while also developing their skills in self-presentation and creative thinking. They were selected from secondary school students from across the region who applied to join the programme earlier this year.
As part of the programme, participants took part in and helped organise Przystanek JP2, a cultural initiative, the European Festival of Young Artists, as well as a range of other community projects and popular science events.
Some of this year’s participants also volunteered during the April edition of “Eskapada. Discover Your Region with a Guide”. Their responsibilities included carrying out evaluation and promotional activities, as well as creating and sharing content on social media.
Eskapada. Discover Your Region with a Guide
They were joined by volunteers from the St John Paul II Laboratory, who had participated in earlier editions of the “Forge of Regional Leaders”. A total of 15 young people received certificates today in recognition of their contribution to the organisation of the event.
The “Forge of Regional Leaders” programme is run by the St John Paul II Laboratory at the Faculty of Theology of Nicolaus Copernicus University in cooperation with the Marshal’s Office. Launched in 2021, this innovative educational and civic initiative is aimed at secondary school students from across the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region who want to learn more about how non-governmental organisations operate and may consider becoming involved in community work in the region in the future.
The programme seeks to encourage greater civic engagement among young people by helping them develop practical skills and fostering a strong sense of civic responsibility.
Beata Krzemińska
Press Spokesperson, Marshal’s Office
4 September 2026
