BIP
Representative of the European Space Agency in Wrocław. EAST x WEST FORUM 2026 underway
Jean-Luc Trullermans from the European Space Agency is in Wrocław. On Wednesday (April 8), he took part in the Poland’s Bridge to Space conference, attended by representatives of companies from the space sector, local government officials, and representatives of municipal institutions. “Hosting Jean-Luc Trullermans from the European Space Agency is an excellent opportunity to discuss ESA’s plans and to learn more about the space sector in Poland,” said Łukasz Czajkowski from the BRIDGE Foundation, the organizer of the EAST x WEST FORUM by Bridge Foundation Wrocław 2026.
A successful marriage of progress and tradition
Participants were welcomed by Jakub Mazur, Deputy Mayor of Wrocław, and Michał Rado, Deputy Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
Jean-Luc Trullermans spoke about cooperation as a condition for success. The Director of the European Space Security and Education Centre at the European Space Agency emphasized that the greatest challenge is not innovation itself, but the effective transition from prototype to real operational implementation—something that requires the involvement of experts from various specializations.
He stressed that new ideas should not be set against previously proven solutions.
“Success comes from combining them. ‘New space’ brings energy, speed, and new business models. Mature organizations provide reliability, experience, and high engineering quality. Only cooperation between these spheres guarantees development,” said Jean-Luc Trullermans. “Progress accelerates when actions are coordinated; otherwise, investments are often delayed.”
The ESA representative also highlighted that effective development requires international cooperation, well-coordinated investments, and clear, shared goals—not just actions taken by individual countries.
The event, held under the slogan Poland’s Bridge to Space, is organized by the Bridge Foundation. It is a non-partisan think tank focused on analysis and debate on long-term economic and strategic development directions for Poland. The initiative is supported by the Business Cooperation Office of the Wrocław City Hall.
Partners of the organizer include the Wrocław City Office, the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, and Concordia Design.
Among the participants were also: Magdalena Okulowska, President of the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency; Radosław Michalski, Director of the City Brand Department; Marcin Urban, Treasurer of Wrocław; Tomasz Janoś, Director of the Wrocław Academic Center; and Małgorzata Krzeszowska, Director of the Business Cooperation Office of the Wrocław City Hall (Entrepreneurial Wrocław).
Let us recall that Wrocław is applying to host a European Space Agency Technology Center. Such a facility will definitely be established in Poland, but the decision on its location has not yet been made.