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Green Day in Poland: EGD for All (Szklarska Poręba)
Following two successful editions of the European Green Academy in Warsaw, GEF is excited to continue its European debates in Poland. Join us in Szklarska Poręba for a one-day summer school full of workshops, presentations, and debates on the future of the European Green Deal, doughnut economics, and a just energy transition. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts and fellow participants on these critical topics!
About the event
Do we really want to continue on the path of exponential growth and increasing consumerism? If we do, a major global catastrophe is inevitable. Rapid change is needed at all levels: global, European, national, regional, and local.While the European Green Deal has provided a much-needed roadmap at the EU level, its implementation, particularly the social dimension, has fallen short of many greens’ hopes and expectations. More worryingly, the progress made over the past five years is now under threat from growing conservative and far-right voices in the European Parliament and certain national governments. Amid these forces of delay and distraction, it is crucial to equip European citizens with the tools to continue fighting for a European Green Deal for All.
Poland “returned to the European Union” thanks to the extraordinary electoral mobilisation of Polish society, especially women and young people. However, with this new progressive coalition in power, it is crucial for progressive stakeholders to strengthen their bonds to ensure a lasting impact on society. Additionally, they must ensure that the new coalition remains true to the principles for which they were elected.
This one-day GEF summer school in Poland aims to connect the green movement, NGOs, activists, and other relevant stakeholders. The program will cover topics such as just energy transition, alternative models like doughnut cities and the wellbeing economy, and the future of the European Green Deal (EGD).
Sessions will explore the connections between the ecological and social dimensions of the doughnut model, with a backdrop of the European Union’s landscape following the 2024 elections, especially concerning the fate of the EGD. Particular attention will be given to exchanging local solutions and best practices to build grassroots support and resilience for eco-social policies, utilizing European tools and leverage where possible.
Regarding energy transition, the focus will be on lignite mining, which dominates this Polish-Czech-German border region, seeking cross-border exchanges and ideas.
Project background
This project connects to GEF’s strategic and thematic priorities Capacity Building for All, Go Green East and South, and Green Deal for All. Additionally, it reinforces GEF’s specific focus on Poland and maintains the momentum of our work as the European Green Academy moves to Brussels in 2024.
Speakers
To be announced
Programme
10:00 – 11:30 Doughnut morning: building a thriving, just, and inclusive Europe within planetary boundaries
CONFERENCE HALL (EN/PL): Roundtable on the social doughnut – how to ensure inclusion of women, youth, LGBTQ+ residents, and people with disabilities?
PARALLEL ROOM (EN): Workshop on introducing the city-level doughnut as a social pact
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break
12:00 – 12:45 Official opening and keynote speeches
CONFERENCE HALL (EN/PL)
12:45 – 13:45 Plenary debate: Future of the European Green Deal
CONFERENCE HALL (EN/PL): Panel discussion on EU 2024: What about the European Green Deal for All?
13:45 – 15:00 Lunch break
15:00 – 17:30 Energy transition afternoon: transborder exchanges
15:00 CONFERENCE HALL (EN/PL): Plenary presentations on transborder approach to energy transition: the future of lignite in the Tri-Earth region
16:00 CONFERENCE HALL (EN/PL): Round table discussion on the future of lignite areas of the Tri-Earth transborder region
Practicalities
Date and Time: 29th of June, 10AM-6PM CEST
Location: Szklarska Poręba, Poland
Language: English and Polish (simultaneous translation will be provided)
Registration and logistics: This summer school is open to everyone. Please register in advance here. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email within 5 days. Spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis – with a final deadline of Friday, June 7th.
Participation fee: GEF’s Green Day in Poland is free for all registered participants. However, if you wish to stay in the pre-booked accommodation or participate in the side programme of activities organised by our partners (27, 28, and/or 30 June), then you will be asked to cover part of the food and accommodation costs.
You will be contacted by the organisers after registration to confirm these arrangements. Please do not let this be a barrier, as we can waive or reduce fees on a case-by-case basis.
Contact: Please email sien.hasker@gef.eu if you have any further questions or concerns.
This summer school is organised by the Green European Foundation, with the support of Strefa Zieleni and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.