European Congress of Local Governments. We will help you prepare for the crisis

The Polish Red Cross will participate in the European Congress of Local Governments in Mikołajki. The event, which attracts local government officials, experts, decision-makers, and business leaders, is an opportunity to present our experiences and offers in the field of civil protection and civil defense.

This year's Congress is accompanied by the slogan "Local government in times of uncertainty - local responses to global challenges."Not without a reason. Thanks to the proximity of residents, it is the local authorities that more quickly recognize the real needs of their communities. This allows for the implementation of flexible and effective solutions where central actions may be delayed. Global challenges require local strategies based on cooperation and innovation, and local governments play a key role in their implementation.

During the congress, we want to show that social organizations, such as the Polish Red Cross, can help in this and be a valuable partner in "times of uncertainty".

The Congress will be an opportunity for the official presentation of the report prepared by the think tank of the Polish Red Cross, "Implementation of the provisions of the law on civil protection and civil defense in local government units in Poland."

The alarming conclusions drawn from it - including the most important one: that over 75% of municipalities and 60% of counties are not confident in their crisis preparedness, and over 20% of municipalities and counties admit a lack of readiness - will be discussed during a panel discussion led by PCK specialists.

March 2, 11:00 - 11:50 - PCK DISCUSSION PANEL - The OLiOC System in practice – success or fiction? The PCK research results that cannot be ignored

Moderator: Kamil Raczyński - Specialist in Civil Protection, Polish Red Cross

Panelists:
Jakub Jakubowski - Mayor, City Hall of Radzyń Podlaski;
Robert Klonowski - Director of the Department of Civil Protection, Ministry of Interior and Administration;
Ilona Dąbrowska - Doctor, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin;
Marcin Kowalski - Member of the Main Board, Polish Red Cross;
Wojciech Wróblewski - Director of the Security Department, Caritas Polska.

March 2, 12:00 - 13:00 - DISCUSSION PANEL - Charity – How local governments cooperate with NGOs
Among the panelists: Marcin Kowalski - Member of the Main Board, Polish Red Cross

March 3, 18:00 - 18:30 - PRESENTATION Sustainable Cities – how to build effective partnerships for the economy of the future?

Among the panelists: Katarzyna Mikołajczyk - General Director, Polish Red Cross.

The Congress will also be an opportunity to present the offer of courses, trainings, and services from PCK. At the request of local governments, we can conduct certified trainings in civil protection to prepare residents for action in emergencies, such as natural disasters, infrastructure failures, prolonged power outages, or the need for sudden evacuation.

The Polish Red Cross is authorized to conduct trainings in civil protection and civil defense based on the decision of October 10, 2025, issued by the Fire Academy. It also offers specialized, proprietary trainings and services for local government staff as well as trainings and courses for residents.

The 11th European Congress of Local Governments in Mikołajki is the largest and most important local government event in 2026 in Poland, providing a space for the exchange of good practices and building and deepening cooperation among local governments. The Congress creates an environment each year where the local dimension of self-government meets European trends in development and cooperation.

The Congress program includes over 250 events – plenary sessions, panels, debates, workshops, presentations, and author meetings – divided into eight thematic areas. They will gather over 3000 participants.

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