The University of Economics in Katowice has been awarded funding under the prestigious NAWA Strategic Partnerships 2025 Programme. The project entitled "Just Energy Transition Without Borders - An International Partnership of the University of Economics in Katowice for the Development of New Competencies among Students, Doctoral Candidates and Academic Staff", authored by Dr Marcin Kraśniewski from the Department of Energy Transition, has secured PLN 1,741,622.80.
The total value of the project is PLN 1,741,622.80, and it will be implemented between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2028.
This achievement represents a major success for the University of Economics in Katowice and further strengthens the position of the Department of Energy Transition as one of Poland's leading academic centres specialising in just energy transition.
One of Only Eleven Projects Funded Nationwide
The NAWA Strategic Partnerships Programme supports the establishment of long-term strategic cooperation between Polish higher education institutions and leading international universities in the areas of research, education and institutional development.
The 2025 call attracted 92 applications requesting more than PLN 137 million, while the programme budget amounted to PLN 20 million. As a result, funding was awarded to only 11 projects, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the programme and the significance of the University's success.
Building a Global Academic Partnership
The project is led by the University of Economics in Katowice and implemented by the Department of Energy Transition in cooperation with the Internationalisation Office. The strategic partners will be:
- Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates),
- Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile),
- University of Chile (Chile),
- University of Pavia (Italy),
- University of Cartagena (Colombia),
- Universidad Externado de Colombia (Colombia).
Together, these institutions will establish a long-term strategic partnership connecting Europe, South America and the Middle East to advance education, research and institutional cooperation in the field of just energy transition.
Project Objective
The overall objective of the project is to establish a sustainable strategic partnership between the University of Economics in Katowice and six international universities in order to strengthen cooperation in education, research, innovation and institutional development related to just energy transition.
The partnership will support the development of new competencies among students, doctoral candidates, academic and administrative staff while enhancing the University's international profile and creating long-lasting mechanisms for global collaboration.
The project directly contributes to the implementation of the University of Economics in Katowice Development Strategy 2026–2033, addressing key challenges related to the green transition, the decarbonisation of the economy, the development of future-oriented competencies, and the internationalisation of the University's activities. The grant will implement the LEAD concept set out in the University's Strategy:
- Learning Innovation - developing innovative international educational programmes;
- Excellence in Research - advancing joint research projects and scientific publications;
- Academic–Industry Synergy - strengthening the integration of education with the energy sector and industry practice;
- Dynamic Governance - promoting agile, data-driven university management and internationalisation
Within this project, LEAD also stands for Leadership in Energy and Decarbonisation, reflecting the University's ambition to become an internationally recognised leader in education, research and cooperation in the field of just energy transition.
Key Activities
The project includes six major initiatives:
- LEAD Global School - an international educational programme comprising two summer schools, workshops, seminars and project-based learning;
- LEAD Global Mobility Programme - international mobility opportunities for academic and administrative staff;
- Just Energy Transition Without Borders: Global Education Forum - an international educational conference accompanied by a Global Village showcasing the social, economic and cultural dimensions of energy transition across participating regions;
- Launch Forum: "From Europe to Latin America and the Middle East - Shaping a Just Energy Transition Together" - the official inauguration of the strategic partnership;
- Understanding Just Energy Transition Across Continents - a comparative research project involving surveys of 500 consumers and 100 enterprises in each of five countries (Poland, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia and Chile), providing an international evidence base for future research and education;
- initiatives aimed at strengthening the University's international visibility, including participation in the EAIE Conference and Exhibition and international higher education fairs in the United Arab Emirates
Strengthening the University's International Leadership
The project builds upon the experience gained through previous international initiatives undertaken by the Department of Energy Transition, including activities financed under the Just Transition Fund. It represents the next stage in the international development of the Department by transforming established bilateral cooperation into a structured, long-term strategic partnership spanning three continents.
By supporting international mobility, joint research projects, scientific publications, innovative educational programmes and institutional cooperation, the project will significantly enhance the global standing of the University of Economics in Katowice and contribute to shaping the future of just energy transition on an international scale.
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