Regions

Łódzkie voivodeship is one of the most dynamically developing regions in the country. It is a region located in the center of Poland, perfectly connected, on the intersection of trans-European transport corridors.

The region covers an area of 18,219 square kilometres. It is inhabited by almost 2.5 million people and the urbanisation index is 62.4%. The administrative structure of the Łódzkie voivodeship consists of 21 poviats (counties) and 3 towns with poviat rights.

The city with the biggest population, service, economic, administrative, as well as research and development potential is Łódź – the capital of the region. The other larger cities are Bełchatów, Kutno, Pabianice, Piotrków Trybunalski, Radomsko, Tomaszów Mazowiecki and Zgierz.

Łódzkie voivodeship is diverse in terms of socio-economic development, as shown by the size and dynamics of GDP changes observed both in the region and in individual sub-regions. According to preliminary estimates of the Central Statistical Office, in 2019 the GDP per capita indicator was 94.2% of the Polish average (which is the best result for the region ever). The voivodeship’s share in GDP creation in the years of the 2014-2018 period remains at a similar level of about 6%. In terms of this share, the łódzkie voivodeship was in the 6th position in the country. The region is also fifth in Poland in terms of internal expenditure on research and development activities per capita in 2018.

Łódzkie is a relatively well-developed region, with a high share of industry in gross value added and a dynamically growing share of services, but on an EU scale it is a less developed region, not reaching 75% of the EU development level.

The Łódzkie Voivodeship represents the highest level of administrative division of Poland and is responsible for the creation and implementation of regional policies, including management of European Union funds. The Łódzkie Voivodeship creates its development policy based on the objectives and directions of intervention convergent with the EU cohesion policy objectives for 2021-2027. The basis for the development policy for the Łódzkie Voivodeship are strategic documents developed in cooperation with representatives of local governments of various levels, social and economic partners, NGOs, and other stakeholders (“Strategy for the Development of the Łódzkie Voivodeship, Regional Innovation Strategy RSI LORIS 2030”). The planned activities are primarily aimed at increasing the innovation potential, adjusting the economic structure to the changing requirements of the environment and European trends related to the development of industry 4.0, 5G technologies, and the circular economy. For many years, Łódzkie has been taking actions to become a leader in this field of bioeconomy in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. An important element in achieving the vision of the region, included in strategic documents, is also a broadly understood development of a circular economy and stimulating the process of manufacturing products and services, in accordance with innovative technologies that contribute to saving and reusing natural resources and secondary raw materials.

The population of RoCG is approx. 550,000 inhabitants while at the same time it shows the phenomenon of aging (approx. 20% of the population is over 65 years old), as well as low rates population with a high level of education (approx. 9%, while the average of the country is approx. 13%). The urban population of Central Greece occupies 46% of the total population of the Region. The urban centers and main settlements of the Region are Chalkida with 53,584 inhabitants and Lamia with 46,406.

The Region of Central Greece holds a central position in Greece and an intermediate position between the two largest development poles of the country (Attica, Thessaloniki). The main national axis of development passes through the region (development S north-south), which creates significant growth opportunities. The proximity to the development pole of Attica entails significant development benefits, but also many problems. The benefits relate to the increased demand of those produced by the Region of products and services, the location of productive proximity to decision-making centers, the possibility utilization of research bodies and specialized human resources, the utilization of the transport infrastructure of Attica, etc. The problems and the risks associate with the reckless use of natural resources of Central Greece for meeting the needs of Attica, the permanent transfer of significant human resources to Attica, the transfer of polluting activities from Attica to RoCG, the imbalanced competition to the local markets etc.

According to the available Eurostat figures, in 2017 the region accounted for 4.7% (€8.767bn) of the country’s GDP, ranking in fifth position. In terms of GDP per capita in PPS, which accounted for 19,300 in 2018, the region was positioned fourth among the 13 Greek regions, below the national average (21,100) and being 62.3% of the EU28 average (31,000) (Eurostat, 2020). In terms of employment, the total number of employees is 48.7% of the working age population, of which employed in agriculture accounted for 18.7%, industry for 17.5% and services for 54%. It is noted that the percentage of the self-employed amounts to 27.8%, while the employees in companies up to 10 people to 70.4%.

The strategy of the Region of Central Greece does not explicitly include the idea of ​​a circular economy and the strengthening of actions in this direction. Only indirect correlations can be considered to exist with the issues of the use of “clean” energy, recycling of materials, materials and packaging, recycling and waste treatment, as well as with the identified need to reduce the environmental footprint of certain sectors of the economy. However, “circularity” will be seen not only as a factor reducing the environmental impact of the activities of businesses and ordinary citizens of the Region, but, above all, as a key factor in improving the competitiveness of the entire business cycle.

The National Road Map is in line with the new Circular Economy Action Plan issued by the European Commission and in line with the new legislation promoted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy on waste, the National Waste Management Plan and disposable plastics.

Where on earth are cities smaller than villages? Only in Friesland. Our cities thank their title not to their size, but to their historic significance. These are the cities of the dreamers who show that you don’t have to be the largest to stand out and the doers that prove that you don’t have to be the richest to pursue your dreams.

Our historic capital is the city of one hundred names: Leeuwarden, Liwwadden, Ljouwert, Lintwarde. With just over 100,000 inhabitants it is the perfect starting point for an unforgettable journey through Friesland. With a city center that is still one of the best kept secrets of the Netherlands, a tower that is leaning more than the tower of Pisa and extraordinary people that are always in for a conversation and a beer.

Sand in your underpants, reading the newspaper in gale force 4 and drinking cocktails in the dunes. You don’t have to go to the Caribbean for the sense of freedom. You can find it here, in the Frisian front yard, also known as an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Wadden.

The Waddensea is the largest tidal area on earth. Nowhere else can you find such a diverse landscape that look different with every sunrise. in the gullies, slots, dunes and plains there are over 10.000 different plant and animal species, who all play a role in a healthy ecosystem. Furthermore, the area attracts around 12 million migratory birds annually, who take a break from their journey to regain strength. Make sure to bring your binoculars!

Streams, rivers, lakes, waterways, ponds, dredging ditches and canals: In Friesland we know more words for the waters than for bread. Which is just logicale, since we have been involved in them for centuries. We drove out the sea, sailed the canals, sailed ferries over ditches and built mounds for a dry-foot guarantee. You have to experience our special water landscape!

Friesland has arround 649,957 inhabitants. In addition to Dutch, Frisian has the status of an official language in the province. The province has an area of ​​5,748.77 km². From about 400 to 200 BC a proto-Frisian culture began to emerge in the area between the Vlie and Ems. Given the danger of flooding, the natural heights were raised to artificial hills, the so-called mounds. Many of the archaeological national monuments in Friesland are such mounds.

The working population in 2020 consisted of 339,000 people, which was then 3.8% of the total Dutch working population. The province’s gross domestic product amounted to €20.7 billion in 2019, or 3.17% of the GDP of the Netherlands.

Friesland distinguishes five themes in which we are (internationally) distinctive: water technology, agrofood, high-tech systems & materials (HTSM), maritime technology and circular materials (plastics, chemistry, construction, etc.). Together, these five themes form the driving force behind the employment and earning capacity.

In the field of circular economy, we further distinguish ourselves through our way of working together (Vereniging Circulair Friesland) and involving young people and education (Spark the Movement). There are more than 100 organisations in Friesland that are members of VCF. These are the frontrunners. Our goal is to join the wide peloton as well. An important role for the government is to create a market through circular procurement. They do this together with all public organizations in the region. The icon of circular procurement is the Swettehus.