Union of Polish Voivodeships

Union of Polish Voivodeships is a voluntary association of Voivodeships of Poland, which are the highest-level administrative divisions of Poland. The organization was established to promote the interests of Voivodeships and to facilitate cooperation between them, as well as with other European Union regions, such as Silesian Voivodeship, Masovian Voivodeship, and Greater Poland Voivodeship. The Union of Polish Voivodeships works closely with the Polish Government, Sejm, and Senate of Poland to address regional issues and to implement policies that benefit the Voivodeships of Poland. The organization also collaborates with other regional associations, such as the Assembly of European Regions and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, which includes representatives from Germany, France, and United Kingdom.

● History

The Union of Polish Voivodeships was founded in 1999 by the Marshals of the Voivodeships, who are the heads of the Voivodeships' executive boards, including Adam Struzik from Masovian Voivodeship and Olgierd Geblewicz from West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The organization's creation was a response to the administrative reform of 1999, which introduced the current system of Voivodeships and Powiats, and was supported by the European Union and its institutions, such as the European Commission and the European Parliament. Since its establishment, the Union of Polish Voivodeships has been actively involved in promoting regional development and cooperation, working with organizations like the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe. The organization has also participated in various international projects, including the INTERREG program, which involves cooperation with regions from Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

● Structure

The Union of Polish Voivodeships is composed of the Voivodeships of Poland, which are represented by their Marshals and other high-ranking officials, such as Wojciech Saługa from Łódź Voivodeship and Elżbieta Polak from Lubusz Voivodeship. The organization has a President and a Board, which are responsible for setting the organization's priorities and implementing its policies, in consultation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration and the Ministry of Development, Labour and Technology. The Union of Polish Voivodeships also has a Secretariat, which provides administrative support and coordinates the organization's activities, including cooperation with the European Committee of the Regions and the European Union's Committee of the Regions.

● Membership

The Union of Polish Voivodeships has 16 members, which are the Voivodeships of Poland, including Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, and Podlaskie Voivodeship. Each Voivodeship has one vote in the organization's decision-making process, and the Marshals of the Voivodeships play a key role in shaping the organization's policies and priorities, in consultation with the National Council of the Voivodeship and the Sejmik. The organization also has observer members, including the Association of Polish Cities and the Polish Association of Counties, which includes representatives from Poznań and Gdańsk.

● Activities

The Union of Polish Voivodeships is involved in a wide range of activities, including promoting regional development, supporting SMEs and Entrepreneurship, and enhancing cooperation between Voivodeships and other regions, such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The organization also provides training and capacity-building programs for regional officials, including those from Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship and Lublin Voivodeship, and works with institutions like the University of Warsaw and the Jagiellonian University. Additionally, the Union of Polish Voivodeships participates in international projects and initiatives, such as the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Policy, which involves cooperation with regions from Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

● International_cooperation

The Union of Polish Voivodeships cooperates with various international organizations and regional associations, including the Assembly of European Regions, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, and the European Union's Committee of the Regions, which includes representatives from Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. The organization also participates in international projects and initiatives, such as the INTERREG program and the European Neighbourhood Policy, which involves cooperation with regions from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Furthermore, the Union of Polish Voivodeships has established partnerships with regional associations from other countries, including the German Association of Cities and the French Association of Regions, which includes representatives from Hamburg and Lyon.

● Organization

The Union of Polish Voivodeships is headquartered in Warsaw and has a Secretariat that provides administrative support, in cooperation with the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organization's President and Board are responsible for setting the organization's priorities and implementing its policies, in consultation with the National Bank of Poland and the Polish Academy of Sciences. The Union of Polish Voivodeships also has a number of committees and working groups that focus on specific issues, such as regional development, transportation, and environmental protection, which involve cooperation with institutions like the World Bank and the European Environment Agency.

Category:Polish organizations