EUROPEAN SCIENCE IN THE CITY AND EUROSCIENCE OPEN FORUM – KATOWICE 2024

Project Information

KTW.Science

Grant agreement ID: 101146726

DOI

10.3030/101146726

Project closed

EC signature date 29 November 2023

Start date 1 December 2023

End date 31 May 2025

Funded under

• Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System

Total cost

€ 2 000 000,00

EU contribution

€ 2 000 000,00

Coordinated by

KATOWICE - MIASTO NA PRAWACH POWIATU
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KTW.Science (EUROPEAN SCIENCE IN THE CITY AND EUROSCIENCE OPEN FORUM – KATOWICE 2024)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The most important goal of EUROPEAN SCIENCE IN THE CITY AND EUROSCIENCE OPEN FORUM – KATOWICE 2024 project was to initiate the transformation of the region through science, provide its residents with unlimited access to knowledge and turn it into a fundamental instrument for civil dialogue. It allowed us to show the richness of Silesian science in the European research arena and enable the region’s inhabitants to get to know it better.
Whole year celebration of the title European City of Science Katowice 2024 was organised with the support of the European Commission, Katowice City Hall and Academic Consortium Katowice City of Science consisting of: Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, University of Economics in Katowice, Silesian University of Technology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, and University of Silesia in Katowice. It was based on the three following pillars:
a. year-round ECSK 2024 programme of events
b. scientific excellence, including the organisation of EuroScience Open Forum conference
c. development of the Green Science Zone

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The most important events organised during the European City of Science celebrations:
1. Year-round events
- 50 weeks in the city of science–the flagship programme of the European City of Science, implemented throughout the year (during the year, we organised 2,006 events, attended by 82,783 participants)
- CITY–REGION–ACADEMIA-year-round ECSK programme. Throughout the year, 246 such events were held in 28 cities across the region
- TEACHERS FOR TEACHERS PROGRAMME-innovative initiative aiming to integrate teachers from higher, secondary and primary schools (252 participants of 6 academies)
- YOUTH IN THE CITY OF SCIENCE PROGRAMME (10 initiatives for better studies) - activities carried out by the Silesian Provincial Youth Council, the Youth City Council and an agreement between student and doctoral student councils
- KATO SCIENCE CORNER - space dedicated to popularising science, and to the ideas of ECSK, as well as a creative approach to the city (Metrolab GZM) (nearly 10000 participants in 2024)
2. Strategic events:
- KATOPOLIS – THE OPENING SPECTACLE OF THE EUROPEAN CITY OF SCIENCE 2024 - nearly 8,000 participants, and over 150 artists and performers appeared on stage
- 7TH SILESIAN SCIENCE FESTIVAL ECSK OPENING WEEKEND - The 7. ŚFN was attended by: 870 speakers, 2,691 science communicators, over 68,000 participants at the International Congress Centre
- INTER-UNIVERSITY INAUGURATION OF ACADEMIC YEAR - Nearly 2,000 academics jointly inaugurated another
- INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON EDUCATION QUALITY 2024
- 8TH SILESIAN SCIENCE FESTIVAL – CLOSING WEEKEND OF THE EUROPEAN CITY OF SCIENCE - The festival was attended by: almost 70,000 participants at the ICC, almost 10,000 participants online, over 3,500 science communicators
3. Special projects:
- SILESIAN SCIENTIFIC TRAIL
- ASK A SCIENTIST!
- SEEDS OF SCIENCE, ŚFN ON TOUR & SCIENCETRUCK CITY OF SCIENCE ON 4 WHEELS
4. ESOF - the largest European meeting of scientists, businesses and policy makers, which took place in Katowice in June 2024. The conference was attended by 3,637 participants.
5. RAWA LEGACY - series of activities (research, meetings, artistic and social events) focused on the Rawa River were carried out.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Although the title of European City of Science Katowice 2024 was formally associated with last year, the conclusions, energy and relationships built up over the past months provide a solid foundation for the future.
The initiatives that will be continued in the coming years include:
a. Green Science Zone - As part of the project, the areas along the Rawa River, including the campuses of the University of Silesia and the University of Economics, are to be transformed and revitalised. The master plan for the Katowice campus aims to create a space conducive to innovation and scientific cooperation. In the future, this area would become a modern space integrating science, the environment and the local community.
b. Implementation of the Scientific Programme for Silesia - This is a new idea on how universities could obtain funds to solve contemporary problems affecting every resident. Thanks to the programme, the best scientists and invited partners from other research centres solved key problems. These include public transport, the level of education, air quality and green areas.

Katopolis show – inauguration of the European City of Science celebrations

Opening of the ESOF conference

Inter-university inauguration ceremony of the Academic Year

Meeting with Sławosz Uznański as part of Space Week

8th Silesian Science Festival