On 27-28 October 2025, the 15th European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises is taking place at the International Congress Centre in Katowice, with this year's motto: "Here & now". On the first day of the event, the University of Economics in Katowice was represented by: Dean of the Faculty of Spatial Economy and Regional Transformation dr hab. Adam Drobniak, prof. UE, and dr hab. Rafał Żelazny, prof. UE from the Department of Economics.
About the Congress
The European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EC SME) is the most important and the largest event in Europe dedicated to companies from the SME sector - a space for meetings, exchange of experience, innovation, and cooperation.
Since 2011, the Congress has brought together entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, representatives of public administration, academia, and culture from around the world. Over fourteen editions, the Congress has hosted tens of thousands of participants who collectively discussed the challenges and opportunities for the SME sector in a rapidly changing economic environment.
Ceremonial Opening of the 15th Edition of the European SME Congress
The event began with a ceremonial inauguration, during which guests were warmly welcomed by:
- Tomasz Zjawiony – President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice,
- Adam Zaczkowski – First Deputy Voivode of Silesia.
The reason we are meeting today - our Congress - is an exceptional event that we must carry out in a situation where we do not really know how to answer many questions. Does the State exist? Does the State exist without an economy? Does society exist without an economy? Does an army exist without an economy? Does the economy exist without entrepreneurs...? It is entrepreneurs who build our country's economy. (...) They cannot be treated as a necessary evil. (...) Without entrepreneurs, there is no state. Without entrepreneurs, we can do nothing. We truly need you. Listen to our voice. (...) Finally, recognize entrepreneurs. Finally, believe in entrepreneurs. - emphasized Tomasz Zjawiony.
Words of welcome to the assembled guests were also delivered by the co-organizers of the 15th European Congress of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises:
- Leszek Pietraszek - Deputy Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship,
- dr Marcin Krupa - Mayor of Katowice,
- Maciej Biskupski - Vice-Chair of the Board of the Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis,
- dr hab. Rafał Żelazny, prof. UE - President of the Management Board of the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A.
The future does not begin today, the past began the day before yesterday. It is approaching us in great, swift strides, for which we must prepare (…) What will that future be like? Certainly economically demanding, generous to those who can adapt - entrepreneurs and regions. It will certainly be geopolitically uncertain; that has and will have an impact in the near future. It will certainly be under the influence of artificial intelligence. I would like it to be clearly stated that this future, however uncertain, is an opportunity, it is a challenge. We hope that a strong voice of entrepreneurs will emerge from these deliberations to support us in fighting for this region - said in his speech Leszek Pietraszek.
In his address, dr hab. Rafał Żelazny, prof. UE focused on the activities of the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A., at the same time encouraging contact:
I decided to pour a bit of “zone optimism” into your hearts, because micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises have become in the Zone a very important element when it comes to investments, because, after all, it is investments we all care about. We know very well that we are striving for an investment rate that should exceed 20%. We have it lower, as we all know. And on behalf of the Management Board of the Katowice Special Economic Zone I want to tell you that over the last few years the SME sector has become a very important player in the Zone. (…) We, in fact, offer something that is very simple, very fast. I am of course speaking about tax exemption. Very easy to apply and – I would like to emphasize – available to most of you. Therefore, in striving for investments in Poland, the instrument of tax exemption for capital expenditures is, in my opinion, very important, and I encourage you to contact us to somewhat accelerate this investment-related element, naturally being aware that there are various conditions as regards sources of investment capital.
After the words of welcome, a letter of intent was signed concerning cooperation in the field of economic promotion in the country and abroad and support in activities aimed at attracting investors, signed by representatives of: the City of Katowice, the Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis, the Silesian Voivodeship, KSSE and RIG.
The second part of the ceremony was accompanied by an introductory panel entitled "The Future Begins Today - How the World Is Changing", moderated by the President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice, Tomasz Zjawiony.
During the debate, the following spoke:
- Beata Drzazga - founder of BetaMed S.A., entrepreneur and philanthropist,
- Joanna Makowiecka-Gatza - President of the Management Board of Employers of Poland,
- Rafał Sonik - President of the Management Board of Gemini Holding.
Experts from UE Katowice in Discussion Panels
The Dean of the Faculty of Spatial Economy and Regional Transformation, dr hab. Adam Drobniak, prof. UE, took part in the discussion panel “Entrepreneurial Katowice – Dialogue for Development”, which was held as part of the 1st Forum of Katowice Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
The event began with a ceremonial opening by the Deputy Mayor of Katowice, Bogumił Sobula:
We want to talk in a slightly different formula with those who constitute the essence of entrepreneurship in our city – he emphasized.
The Deputy Mayor also noted that we are aware that today everything is changing, which affects to a greater extent entrepreneurs running smaller and sole proprietorships; therefore it is so important to listen to the voices of the event’s participants, which he officially opened.
Next, the Head of the Investor Service Department of the City of Katowice, Mariusz Jankowski, presented the Investor Service Department.
The final part of the Forum was the discussion panel with the participation of dr hab. Adam Drobniak, prof. UE. The debate was moderated by Jakub Lisiecki - Editor-in-Chief of Monitor Rynkowy and Monitor Biznesu, Managing Director of PubliCity Media Group, and head of the Symbol 2025 programme.
Professor Drobniak was asked whether, in the face of trends, transformation can be an opportunity for companies and whether the academic factor can help:
The impulse for development is the encounter between science and entrepreneurship. Without that, it is very difficult. We are, however, beginning to see barriers, a glass ceiling. Can transformation help us in this? Until now it has helped us. However, if we maintain this conversion of jobs, we have a negative scenario saying that the transformation is not yet over, so if no actions are taken, there may even be 10,000 fewer jobs - he answered.
The Dean of the Faculty of GPiT also referred to the project implemented at the University of Economics in Katowice ROPT 2.0, whose aim is to support and streamline the management of the just transition process in the Silesian Voivodeship, with particular emphasis on issues of the labour market, diversification of business activity, and the potential of post-industrial areas, including post-mining sites, through the development of the activities of the Regional Observatory of the Transformation Process.
Together with the Professor, the discussion included:
- Mariusz Jankowski - Head of the Investor Service Department of the City of Katowice,
- Ewa Klekot - Director of the District Labour Office,
- dr hab. Tomasz Pietrzykowski, prof. UŚ - Vice-Chair of the Programme Council of the -"ProSilesia Business-Science-Local Government" Association; Vice-Rector for International and Domestic Cooperation of the University of Silesia,
- Marcin Chmielowski - Plenipotentiary of the SME Ombudsman,
- dr hab. Adam Drobniak, prof. UE - Dean of the Faculty of Spatial Economy and Regional Transformation,
- Mariusz Ogłoziński - Director of the Investor Service Department of KSSE S.A.,
- Marlena Miąsko - Vice-President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice.
In Ballroom B, a debate entitled “If Not EU Grants, Then What? Capital for SME Development” was held, during which sources of financing currently most popular among SMEs and preferential loans as an alternative to traditional sources of financing were discussed. The role of special economic zone instruments in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises was also mentioned. This discussion included, among others, dr hab. Rafał Żelazny, prof. UE from the Department of Economics.
The Professor was asked about the advantages and disadvantages of combining forms of financing; in his reply, he indicated two instruments: tax exemption and a loan from ARP (editor’s note: the Industrial Development Agency).
(…) After hearing the offers of institutions, one asks oneself which of these instruments is the most optimal for me. “Zone” support will reduce cost intensity while simultaneously increasing margins. (…) It is becoming increasingly popular for micro and small entrepreneurs - said dr hab. Rafał Żelazny, prof. UE.
This discussion also included:
- Monika Constant - President, Polish Leasing Association,
- Kamila Lewandowicz - Director of Business Support and Acquisition of EU Funds, Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice,
- dr Marek Radzikowski - Chair of the Council of the Polish Bank Association for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurs, Vice-President of the Management Board, PKO Bank Polski S.A.,
- Mateusz Rykała - President of the Management Board, Fundusz Górnośląski S.A.,
- Joanna Schmid - President of the Management Board, Śląski Fundusz Rozwoju Sp. z o.o.
Dr hab. Rafał Żelazny, prof. UE also took part in the session "Technological Race and National Security", which addressed such issues as: technological alliances equivalent to military alliances, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence as a tool of cyberattacks and disinformation.
More information
More information and the full framework programme can be found on the website.
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