A major congress on the future of local government finances will be held in Sopot, Poland, on April 15-16, bringing together public officials, businesses, and experts.
Energy Transition and New Financing Models
The congress’s first day will focus on financing the energy transition, particularly in the heating sector, which requires significant modernization. A debate will address how local governments can fund investments as EU grants diminish and technology costs rise.
Representatives from Bank Pekao S.A. and the Polish Development Fund will present perspectives on financing infrastructure development.
Public-Private Partnerships and Financial Structuring
The congress will also examine partnerships and the effective combination of funding sources. Local governments are increasingly utilizing complex financial models integrating public, private, EU, and debt instruments.
Discussions will center on practical aspects of financial structuring, risk sharing, and project efficiency throughout their lifecycle, covering infrastructure, social, environmental, and energy projects.
Public Administration and the Role of Oversight
The second day will be dedicated to the quality of public administration and the evolving role of oversight. Mariusz Haładyj, President of the Supreme Audit Office, and Jacek Jaśkowiak, Mayor of Poznań, will participate in a plenary session.
The discussion will explore transforming oversight from a supervisory tool into a mechanism supporting development, improving management quality, and enabling more informed decision-making.
European Funds Post-2027: Strategic Challenges
A final debate will address the future of European funds after 2027, focusing on how local governments can prepare to utilize funds in the 2028-2034 perspective.
Representatives from local and national administration will discuss the readiness of local governments, project quality, partnership building, securing matching funds, and effectively combining EU funds with other financial instruments.
Shared Responsibility for Development
The Local Trends Local Government Finance Congress, organized by the Center for Strategic Thinking and the MTP Group, is a key dialogue platform between local government and business in Poland.
This year’s edition highlights the importance of collaboration, flexible financing approaches, and strategic investment thinking for local development.