2nd Interregional Policy Learning Event in Mazovia Region
From June 3rd to 5th, 2025, partners from across Europe gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for the second international meeting of the REWARD project, officially titled 2nd Interregional Policy Learning Event in Mazovia Region. The event was hosted by the Marshal’s Office of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and focused on the exchange of good practices and policy approaches in entrepreneurship development and talent attraction – the central themes of the REWARD project.
The meeting brought together representatives of regional and local authorities, business support organizations, universities, research institutions, innovation agencies, and other key stakeholders interested in enhancing the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in their regions.
Welcome Meeting and Visit to Innovation Hub
The event unofficially began on Tuesday, June 3rd, with an optional visit to the Cambridge Innovation Center Warsaw (CIC Warsaw), located in the heart of the city at Varso Place. Participants were introduced to the Warsaw innovation ecosystem and to initiatives led by the Venture Café Foundation, including District Hall and Trend House – platforms dedicated to fostering collaboration among start-ups, corporations, and academia.
The evening continued with a welcome dinner in the city center, creating an excellent opportunity for informal networking among partners.
Day 1: Learning from Regional Examples and Stakeholder Engagement
The official program started on Wednesday, June 4th, at the Marshal's Office. The day opened with a project overview by the Lead Partner and the Institute of Tourism, followed by presentations on Mazovia’s regional innovation strategy and support for entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on involving youth, academic entrepreneurs, and NGOs.
One of the highlights was the presentation of two award-winning initiatives:
- “Innovator of Mazovia” – a competition recognizing outstanding innovative projects and ideas from local entrepreneurs and researchers.
- “Start from Mazovia” – a support program for startups active in the region for less than three years, offering funding, mentoring, and investor networking opportunities.
These programs provided practical insight into how regions can attract and retain entrepreneurial talent by creating a supportive and visible innovation environment.
Throughout the day, participants were introduced to good practices from various partner regions:
- Western Development Commission (Ireland)
- CzechInvest and the Regional Development Agency of the Pardubice Region (Czech Republic)
- Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy)
- Mazovia Development Agency (Poland)
- South Savo food cluster (Finland)
- University of Warsaw Incubator
- Network of Entrepreneurial Women
Panel discussions and "hot question" sessions allowed participants to engage with the presenters and deepen the dialogue on regional strategies, policies, and future cooperation.
The day concluded with a joint dinner, reinforcing the strong sense of community and partnership among participants.
Day 2: Field Visits and Practical Workshops on Entrepreneurship Development
The final day, Thursday, June 5th, was held at the Targowa Creativity Center, a municipal business incubator focused on the creative industries and future professions. Participants gained firsthand experience with how Warsaw supports early-stage businesses through a mix of infrastructure, training, and community-building.
The program featured two blocks of good practice presentations from:
- CR Inove (Portugal)
- South Savo Regional Council (Finland)
- Trnava Self-Governing Region (Slovakia)
- Płock Industrial and Technological Park (Poland)
- Voivodeship Labour Office in Warsaw – Siedlce Office
- The City of Warsaw
In the afternoon, moderated workshops in smaller groups focused on how to support entrepreneurship among specific groups, such as unemployed individuals, young people, and women. These sessions allowed participants to apply their knowledge, share regional experiences, and begin shaping new policy ideas tailored to diverse local needs.
The event concluded with a summary of project activities and next steps, including preparations for the next partner meeting in the Czech Republic.
Supporting Talent Attraction and Innovation Across Europe
The Warsaw event showcased the power of interregional learning in addressing shared challenges such as attracting skilled individuals, supporting entrepreneurs, and ensuring inclusive access to innovation and business services.
By sharing tested approaches, networking with peers, and exploring concrete examples in the field, partners are better equipped to improve their regional policies and initiatives in line with the core mission of the REWARD project – to make European regions more attractive to entrepreneurial talent and build robust support systems for innovation-driven growth.