Model for attracting and retaining talents in cities losing their socio-economic functions, by creating conditions for the space industry development, on the example of Stalowa Wola solutions.
Preventing the brain drain of young talented residents – often to larger university cities – requires extraordinary means. The idea behind SPACE 4 TALENTS is to develop a completely new and dynamic sector of local economic activity in the Polish city of Stalowa Wola: the space industry. Through the establishment of a new space hub – with a Space Lab and Space Academy – this promises to be a highly attractive sector for ambitious people that would like to learn, prototype and create new technological solutions, providing opportunities for a rapid specialisation in the city. The approach is also designed to positively impact numerous aspects of local people’s everyday living.
About
Stalowa Wola faces a significant talent drain, with around 1,000 young residents leaving for higher education in other cities and seldom returning. To address this, the city is launching SPACE 4 TALENTS, an initiative to create an entirely new specialisation within the city, centred around the space sector—an exciting, forward-looking field designed to attract ambitious minds. The project consists of two main components:
SpaceLAB – a physical hub where space technology enthusiasts can meet, learn, collaborate, and innovate. It will host hackathons, workshops, and provide resources to support idea development, startups, and space-tech projects.
Space ACADEMY – an educational platform offering concise, hands-on courses in space technologies and project management, designed in consultation with industry experts and academic partners. This curriculum focuses on practical skills tailored to space-sector needs.
The project’s main ambition is to transform Stalowa Wola into a regional centre for space
innovation, drawing talent back to the city and making it a hub for entrepreneurship. Expected results include reduced brain drain, increased interest in STEM fields locally, and the development of a knowledge-driven economy. By nurturing a new generation of space-tech professionals, SPACE 4 TALENTS aims to stimulate local innovation and support economic growth.
List of resources
About this resource
The European Urban Initiative is an essential tool of the urban dimension of Cohesion Policy for the 2021-2027 programming period. The initiative established by the European Union supports cities of all sizes, to build their capacity and knowledge, to support innovation and develop transferable and scalable innovative solutions to urban challenges of EU relevance.
Similar content
