WUEB experts at the 11th European Congress of Local Governments. Research-driven input on culture, AI and public finance
The 11th European Congress of Local Governments in Mikołajki (2-3 March 2026) is one of Poland’s leading platforms bringing together local authorities, public administration, business and academia. This year’s edition featured over 250 panels and debates under the motto “Local government in times of uncertainty – local answers to global challenges”, spanning topics such as digital local government, economy and finance, politics and security, health and culture.
In this context, the presence of WUEB (Wroclaw University of Economics and Business) was particularly strong. Our researchers not only took part in discussions, but also shaped them by hosting and moderating key sessions focused on the most pressing challenges for local governments.
Assoc. Prof. WUEB Barbara Mróz-Gorgoń, prof. WUEB contributed actively to debates on the future of local governments, communication and public policy. During the Congress, she served as a host, speaker and panel moderator, and presented results from social research. Part of her activity was delivered within the Marka Polska Think Tank, while also representing WUEB as an academic expert. Her contributions included:
- leading a Working Round Table session
- delivering a “What Science Says” lecture titled “Reducing Aversion to Artificial Intelligence in Advertising Through Humour”
- moderating the panel “Cultural Investments as a Driving Force for Local Governments”
- presenting the report “A Self-Portrait of Poles, Part 2”
Other WUEB representatives also played a visible role in the programme:
- Assoc. Prof. WUEB Agnieszka Bem, prof. WUEB moderated the panel “European funds and local government budgets in the new 2027+ perspective”, focused on the investment gap expected after EU funding for 2021-2027 is exhausted and the National Recovery Plan comes to an end. The panel featured, among others, Jacek Protas, Beata Dudzińska, Rafał Trzaskowski and Jan Szyszko.
- Dr Małgorzata Gałecka moderated the panel “Local government in times of uncertainty – local answers to global challenges”, analysing how inflation, debt, energy costs and global shocks translate into local budgets and investment capacity. Speakers included Jarosław Narkiewicz, Stylianos Ioannis Tzagkarakis, Grzegorz Czarnocki and Janusz Steinhoff.
- Dr Magdalena Rozwadowska (Department of Corporate Finance and Public Finance) moderated the panel “The Green Deal locally: financing and implementation”, addressing practical pathways for local green transition, from funding instruments to legal barriers and long-term economic benefits. The discussion brought together experts from academia, policymaking, local government and business, including Fabrizio Zucca (Bocconi University), Angela Angjelovska (LGP Lawyers), Jacek Kostrzewa (KAPE), Dorota Niedziółka (SGH Warsaw School of Economics), Urszula Pasławska and Janusz Piechocki.
The engagement of our experts at the Congress underlines how WUEB research supports evidence-based public debate and strengthens cooperation with local government stakeholders.
For more insights and the full commentary, visit badania.uew.pl/en.
