In order to effectively implement the solutions developed in strategic documents, you need to know how to do it. The assumptions of the “Zgierz – modern city after hours” project included a series of training courses conducted by local government advisors, specialists with extensive experience in efficient city management. During the three-year period of the project, several training sessions were conducted with the participation of invited experts from the Association of Polish Cities.
In December 2022, management training was organized for the management and management staff of the Zgierz City Hall. Meeting entitled: “How to manage the city wisely?” provided answers to several questions, including: what long-term strategy should be adopted to effectively and efficiently use the opportunity to introduce changes beneficial to the city’s inhabitants. They also discussed ways of delegating tasks to individual people or teams, the importance of urban space was analyzed – there was also a discussion about combating image problems and creating positive values around the city’s brand.
In February 2023, selected substantive employees of the Zgierz City Hall were invited to training in the broadly understood accessibility (including digital) of services provided by the local government. Experts from the Association of Polish Cities said, among others: about the need to eliminate barriers that people with special needs may encounter in the everyday work of the office. Formal aspects of the application of accessibility solutions, both in national and EU legislation, were presented in detail. During the exercises, participants learned how to “empathize” with various situations of people with special needs – and, if necessary, demonstrate appropriate empathy and understanding.
A separate training (in October 2023) was devoted to practical aspects of the multi-year development strategy for Zgierz developed as part of the project. Invited officials (members of the team preparing the document) self-assessed strategic management and indicated ways to implement the challenges contained in the strategy. A special tool provided to local governments by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development helped with this.
A series of training courses in city management practice was organized as part of the “Zgierz – modern city after hours” project, co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021.
