The goal of the workshop was to develop effective and user-friendly cooperation models between the public and private sectors to support the successful implementation of local pro-ecological initiatives.
The meeting was preceded by a survey assessing the level of knowledge, experience, perceived barriers, and expectations regarding collaboration of private sector with local government. Developed in collaboration between partners and distributed by the Poznań Science and Technology Park, the survey targeted representatives of the private sector. A total of 23 entities, including 19 businesses, were invited to participate. Serving as a cross-sectoral diagnostic tool, the survey helped identify key needs and challenges faced by private sector stakeholders, which in turn shaped the workshop agenda.
The first part of the workshop session included a presentation of the survey results, followed by a lecture on the study “ESG in SMEs: Between Awareness and Action”, prepared by Wrocław University of Science and Technology. This was complemented by an overview of Poznań City Hall’s activities related to the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), along with examples of environmental best practices presented by Kompania Piwowarska, a leading Polish brewing company.
The second part of the workshop focused on group work. Five teams used a Customer Journey Map tool adapted specifically for this session.
Five distinct canvases were developed, identifying key elements that local government units should take into account when designing initiatives aimed at entrepreneurs.
Participants explored five potential project ideas:
- A communication and cooperation platform between the public and private sectors in the field of green investments (NbS).
- Schools as part of the green city ecosystem (ecomural concept).
- “Poznań Breathes” – an initiative to improve urban air quality.
- Employee volunteering for urban greening efforts.
- Revitalisation of the historic tram depot in Poznań for new urban functions.
Conclusions and recommendations
Workshop conclusions – when improving cooperation between the public and private sectors, the following crucial areas should be considered:
- Information and contact – there is a need for a clear knowledge source and a dedicated project steward (one-stop shop). It is difficult to encourage companies to cooperate without such support.
- Simplifying procedures – complicated, time-consuming processes and multistage decision-making discourage private partners. It is necessary to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and clarify regulations.
- Promotion and company image – entrepreneurs require clear guidelines on how to showcase their pro-environmental contributions. Ensuring company visibility enhances their image and encourages others to take action.
- Long-term relationships – companies are willing to invest time and resources when confident that cooperation will continue in future projects.
- Innovation and participation – businesses express openness to testing new solutions and sharing knowledge. The public sector needs specialist expertise that is easily accessible.
- Purchasing criteria – current procurement processes, most common, focus only on price, which favors cheaper offers over long-term, sustainable, and effective solutions.
In the next steps, the conclusions drawn from the workshop and the identified needs of the private sector will be translated into practical recommendations. The post-workshop report (prepared by the Poznań Science and Technology Park) will include both innovative proposals and those inspired by existing solutions from other European cities (benchmarks/references).
It is worth emphasizing that Day 2 of the workshops focused on developing recommendations for the public sector. The conclusions and proposals from both Day 1 and Day 2 will be combined and further discussed. As a result in the following phase, the recommendations will be validated, and one or two will be selected for implementation.
