IMPETUS 3rd Interregional Thematic Seminar

Urban agencies have a dedicated intermediary role in facilitating and managing temporary use projects or initiatives that aim to revitalise vacant or underused urban spaces for creative, social, or economic purposes.  These agencies can take various forms, such as public, private, or public-private initiatives. Their key functions include supporting, initiating, or coordinating temporary use projects, mediating between stakeholders, and streamlining the process by offering operational support, resources, and guidance on legal and safety matters. Ultimately, the agency facilitates the transformation of vacant urban spaces by providing essential assistance and coordination to all parties involved.

'Urban agencies for temporary use' is the theme of the 3rd IMPETUS Interregional Seminar, scheduled for October 16th and 17th in Warsaw, hosted by the project partner Mazowieckie Region. 

The theme will be explored through presentations of good practices from the experiences of the cities and regions involved in the project. The knowledge exchange will also include key stakeholders invited by the project partners and guest experts from European agencies or initiatives with expertise in the field.

MAZOWIECKIE REGION’S ROLE IN THE IMPETUS PROJECT

The Mazowieckie Region is engaged in the project with the specific aim of improving the Regional Operational Programme European Funds 2021-2027 that contributes to the achievement of the Cohesion Policy objectives, including the creation of a more competitive and smarter, greener and low-carbon Europe, better connected, with a stronger social dimension and closer to its citizens. 

The policy instrument provides for interventions to revitalise underused or abandoned urban areas and improve the quality of urban spaces, stimulate the activity and cooperation of local communities, promote entrepreneurship, self-employment and the social economy.

‘As the Marshal's Office of the Mazovian Voivodeship, we have a great success in cooperation with the Capital City of Warsaw. On October 16, the 3rd Interregional Thematic Seminar will be held with partners from many European regions, including - at the seat of the Marshal's Office, where we will welcome the entire IMPETUS Steering Committee. We are pleased that we can propose a Good Practice from our region, which is "Spółdzielnia" and the Wolskie Cultural Center. Mazovia can be an inspiration in the field of Temporary Use, and above all this semester - it gives a good example of constructive cooperation of local government units. The Interreg project is an extraordinary exchange of experiences, in which, by expanding the stakeholder base every day - we have the opportunity to develop as a region and promote modern initiatives of Mazovia - and in particular from cities such as Warsaw, Żyrardów or Wołomin. One of the main attractions of the study visit will be a joint tour of the City of Żyrardów and former factory areas, as well as the Wolski Cultural Center, which allows residents to develop jointly used urban spaces for the purpose of social activation. We are trying to expand the stakeholder base of the Interre project and together we are promoting the entire region by finding further Good Practices.’ says Blanka Zienkiewicz-Czerwińska - Department of Regional Development and European Funds, Department of Development and Management of the Regional Innovation Strategy, Marshall’s Office in the Mazovieckie Voivodeship in Warsaw.