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Wroclaw at the 35th Economic Forum in Karpacz

Over 500 debates, 6,000 participants, and three days of discussions on the most important economic, social, and political challenges. From September 8 to 10, Karpacz will once again become a meeting place for representatives of business, local government, academia, and politics during the 35th Economic Forum. Wrocław will present its “Safe Wrocław” program in Karpacz, host WRO Venture Connect 2.0, and, during the gala ceremony, the Mayor of Wrocław Award will be presented for the fifth time in the “Socially Responsible Business” category.

The Economic Forum is the largest and most important conference in Central and Eastern Europe. For over 30 years, it has served as a platform for dialogue, bringing together political, economic, and social leaders from more than 60 countries around the world. The theme of this year’s edition is “The Architecture of a New Order—Stability in Times of Change.”

The Economic Forum is a place for discussions on how to respond to the changes currently taking place in the economy, security, and the functioning of cities. We’re coming to Karpacz with specific experiences to share—we want to discuss attracting investment and talent, developing new technologies, as well as security and preparing residents for crisis situations. These are different areas, but today they all determine a city’s strength and resilience. 

Jakub Mazur, Vice Mayor of Wrocław

Safety in Practice

One of the main topics Wrocław will address in Karpacz will be safety and preparing residents for crisis situations. The city will present the “Safe Wrocław” program, which has been under development since 2025.

At Wrocław’s booth in the Lower Silesia Zone, participants will have the opportunity to practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), stopping massive bleeding, and the basics of first aid alongside emergency responders and experts.

The program will be complemented by a practical demonstration on the Lower Silesia Stage. Experts will demonstrate, among other things, how to behave during an attack by an armed assailant or other threat, how to respond to emergency alerts and carry out an evacuation, and what should be included in an evacuation backpack.

Startups Will Meet with Businesses and Investors

The Forum will also feature WRO Venture Connect 2.0—an event bringing together startups, investors, businesses, and local governments. It will serve as a space for discussions on collaboration between young companies and large enterprises and investors, as well as on the development and implementation of new technologies.

Wrocław and the region have concrete experience in this area. More than 800 international companies, 259 modern business service centers, and nearly 400 research and development centers operate here. The IT industry employs approximately 60,000 specialists.

Recent years have shown that Lower Silesia is no longer merely “Europe’s assembly plant” but has become a key hub for high-tech, logistics, and advanced business services. Its proximity to the border, excellent infrastructure, and—most importantly—access to a highly educated workforce attract investors seeking resilience in the face of crises. In the last five years alone, the region has attracted as many as 75 new investment and reinvestment projects, which have resulted in the creation of 23,000 highly specialized jobs. 

Magdalena Okulowska, president of the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency

Discussion Panels

The Forum’s program will also feature discussion panels from Wrocław.

  • Asia Express: A New Map of Investment, Technology, and Cooperation in Europe—the Lower Silesia Case Study—will focus on the role of Asian investments, technology, and new models of cooperation in the region’s development.
  • The panel Cities That Attract. How Does Equal Treatment Translate into Talent, Investment, and Quality of Life?—using Wrocław, Breda, and Berlin as examples—will address the competition among cities for talent and the importance of safety, the quality of public services, integration, and openness for economic development.
  • Meanwhile, during the debate Unique Smart City Implementations: Cities That Did It Differently, participants will discuss solutions that go beyond conventional Smart City models. The discussion will also cover pilot projects, collaboration between local governments, business, and academia, and the testing of new technologies in real urban environments.

Award for Socially Responsible Business

During the Forum’s gala ceremony, the Mayor of Wrocław Award will be presented for the fifth time in the “Socially Responsible Business” category. This award honors companies that demonstrate exceptional commitment to initiatives benefiting the local community. The 2025 award recipients are Capgemini Polska, Piekarnia Hert, and Pyszne.pl.

Over 6,000 Participants and 500 Debates

The 35th Economic Forum will last three days and bring together over 6,000 participants. The program includes over 500 debates. The event will also be attended by over 500 experts representing more than 150 universities and research institutes.

For over three decades, the Forum has served as a meeting place for representatives of politics, business, academia, local government, and culture, as well as a space for discussions on the most important challenges facing Poland and Europe.