1. Opole Voivod e ship is the smallest province in Poland. Opole Region in figures: Total population – 1,088 thousand Area – 9,412 square km (3 % of Poland territory) Poviats (Districts) – 12 Gminas (Communes) – 71

2. The history of the Polish-Czech-German borderland has influenced the current image of the region. Presently, Opole Silesia (Śląsk Opolski) is a multi-cultural region. The region has been inhabited by generations of people, who express their strong ties with their own traditions and still cooperate in harmony for the development of their small homeland. Cultural diversity results in the wealth of experiences of the inhabitants, their tolerance and openness to the world, which together with their diligence and mobility, are the best assets for every employer.

3. The Opole Land stands out nationally due its large economic and investment potential. Industry is characteri z ed by a uniform distribution across the Voivodeship and by a diversified structure. At the end of 2004, there were more than ninety thousand businesses operating here, among them some eighty thousand private ones. Industry: - building and construction industry, - electric machine and metal industry, - chemical industry, fuel and energy industry, - fertilizer industry, - furniture industry, light and food industry are predominant industries, - coke, cement, lime, nitrogen fertilizers, alimentary fats and oils, trucks, tractors and machine tools for metal plastic working account for a dominant share of the country's production and employment.

4. Opole Voivodeship offers a variety of education opportunities and specialties. Opole University of Technology State Higher Vocational School in Nysa State Higher Medical School in Opole Opole University Higher School of Banking in Opole The Academy of Management and Administration in Opole The Bogdan Jański Akademy in Opole

5. The Foundation in Suppport of Local Democracy (FSLD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, independent and non-profit organisation. FSLD's mission is to promote the idea of civil self-governance as the fundamental form of democracy. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation support the activity of local authorities and non-governmental organizations, thus contributing to the development and reinforcement of the civil society in the region.

6. It was established in 1989 and over the years FSLD has grown to incorporate a network of 16 Regional Training Centres and three Colleges of Public Administration. We are one of the oldest and largest organizations of this kind in Central and Eastern Europe, and the largest employer among NGOs in Poland.

7. Opole Center of Local Democracy

8. The mission of the Opole Center of Local Democracy is to conduct educational activities and advisory services to local governments and opinion leaders to strengthen local democracy and building civil society.MISSION PROJECTSCOURSES CONSULTING

10. Projekt współfinansowany ze środków Unii Europejskiej w ramach Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego KAPITAŁ LUDZKI na lata 2007-2013 Project TCP Local Animator of Entrepremeurship The project ia a transnational partnership with Matej Bel University Operational Programme Human Capital, Prioryty VIII Regional human resources for the economy, Measure 8.2 Transfer of knowledge, Sub-measure 8.2.1 Support to cooperation of scientific environemt and enterprises.

11. Projekt współfinansowany ze środków Unii Europejskiej w ramach Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego KAPITAŁ LUDZKI na lata 2007-2013 Project TCP Local Animator of Entrepremeurship Timeframe of the project 1.04.2012 – 30.06.2013 The project is aimed at researchers and scientific staff - teaching of the regional universities, who will complete their internships in companies located in foreign incubators and science- technology park.

12. The main objective of the project: strengthening of cooperation between institutions in the business environment to stimulate the development of innovative enterprises. Projekt współfinansowany ze środków Unii Europejskiej w ramach Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego KAPITAŁ LUDZKI na lata 2007-2013 to encourage business institutions and innovative companies to be more engaged in innovative activities to gain practical knowledge and skills in the implementation of innovation in enterprises by researchers, to develop solutions to improve the level of cooperation of business environment for enterprise development and innovation of the Opole region.

14. Thank you for your attention Opole Center of Local Democracy Krakowska Street 51 45 0 018 Opole – Poland Phone number: +48 77 454 48 29 E – mail: biuro@opole.frdl.pl