The is the eighth year in a row that authorities from Polish provinces and Croatian counties will meet and exchange experience and dialogue about the future of European regions.
These encounters were first initiated by Jacek Protas, the then marshal of the Masuria province who invited Croatian country prefects for talks on creating a common policy. With Croatia's accession to the EU in 2013 the need for examples of good practice emerged and Poland showed to be a natural choice.
This year's forum will be held 12 - 14 September in Zielona Gora to discuss the conclusions of the 7th forum which was held in Porec, Croatia last year as well as to consider strategic planning for the development of Polish and Croatian regions until 2030, innovations in economy, digitisation of public administration and public-private partnerships.
The forum is being organised by an alliance of Polish provinces, the Croatian Community of Counties, the office of the marshal of Lubusz and the Croatian Embassy in Poland and it will be held under the auspices of Polish President Andrzej Duda with support from the Croatian parliament, Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
Zielona Gora, surrounded by tree-covered hills, is known for its timber manufacturing and paper industries are so prevalent there. It also has a strong automobile industry. The city's IT sector is globally recognised.