One of the fundamental problems that small and medium-sized cities in Poland have had to face for at least two decades is the unfavorable demographic processes. This is because it has not been known for a long time that many young, creative and enterprising people are looking for their chance to develop in larger urban centers. Local governments of cities threatened with loss of socio-economic functions therefore face a host of challenges they must meet on the difficult road to increasing their competitiveness. In the case of Jasło, the recipe for achieving such an outlined goal may turn out to be the implementation of a series of activities within the framework of the “Jasło – my city, my home” project. An important role in this process should be played by Jasło youngest citizens.
Young people also have a voice
The debate on Jasło development paths is constantly accompanied by high emotions. A workshop on the city’s potentials as a base for the development of local entrepreneurship, held on November 7 at the GEN Science Generator in Jasło, can serve as a perfect example to support such a thesis. The discussion of Jaslo’s strengths and weaknesses and what its authorities and institutions can, or should, offer to residents tying their future to the city was attended not only by public administration employees and local entrepreneurs, but also by young people. Young residents of Jasło, with their characteristic directness, tried to accurately diagnose the most significant ills of their city. According to Mayor Ryszard Pabian, it is the children and young people, who already determine the potential of Jaslo today, who should take an active part in its development.
We want to create the city with the expectations of all its residents in mind, who see their future here. That is why we have invited representatives of many social and professional groups, especially young people, to participate in the workshop. We have a lot of experience in implementing participatory projects, especially with young people. Young people have their own ideas about the city where they would like to stay and live someday. We want to put these ideas into practice,” argued Ryszard Pabian, mayor of Jasło.
Concrete actions
The workshop entitled “Potentials of the city as a basis for the development of local entrepreneurship” was carried out within the framework of the project “Jasło – my city, my home”, financed from the funds of the EGO Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the state budget. However, it is worth adding that this is not the only activity whose beneficiaries are, or will soon be, young residents of Jasło. Examples include: Jasielsk Children’s University and Exchange of GENIAL Ideas for Jasło, the next editions of which began a few weeks ago.
Projects of an educational nature are of particular importance in the context of Jaslo’s development. This is because their participants are to constitute human capital, which in the near future will determine the identity of the city and its residents. Moreover, activities aimed at children and young people are also expected to be an effective recipe for increasing the level of social activity.
In addition to the so-called soft projects, the City of Jasło is also implementing investment tasks. Any day now, the 5KDZ road in the Warzycka investment zone, which will connect Meblowa Street with Piłsudskiego Street, will be put into operation. This investment is of great importance in terms of increasing the attractiveness of investment areas for business.
The diagnoses carried out clearly indicate that one of the key potentials of our city are entrepreneurs. These are primarily numerous family businesses, but not only. We should keep in mind that large companies that play a significant role in European and global markets conduct their business in Jasło. We should do everything to develop Jasło on the basis of the entrepreneurship of our residents,” persuades Ryszard Pabian.
For more information on the activities carried out within the framework of the project “Jasło – my city, my home”, financed from the funds of the EGO Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the state budget, please visit: https://um.jaslo.pl/pl/jaslo-moje-miasto-moj-dom/
www.eog.gov.pl
