Stalowa Wola
SPACE 4 TALENTS - Model for attracting and retaining talents by creating conditions for the space industry development
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.
Our main challenges...
Brain Drain: Nearly 1,000 young, talented residents leave Stalowa Wola for university each year, with few returning. This outflow drains the city of innovative minds and hinders local growth.
Lack of technological specialisation: Stalowa Wola lacks an inspiring, forward-looking sector that captures young talent's ambition, motivating them to build their futures locally rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Absence of Practical Learning Platforms: Stalowa Wola lacks hands-on training programmes in advanced technologies, which are crucial for developing industry-relevant skills and preparing the workforce for high-tech fields
and proposed solutions
SpaceLAB – a physical hub where space technology enthusiasts can meet, learn, collaborate and innovate
Hackathons and workshops hosted at the new SpaceLab, together with new 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
Key figures
Milestones
Completed examination, analysis and forecast of social, migration, psychological and technical aspects
SpaceLAB building adapted and partially equipped
Space Academy curriculum tested and evaluated
SpaceLAB fully equipped, completed offer of usage and commercialisation
Space Academy curriculum implemented in complete version
All actions completed, transfer tested, good practices, risks and mistakes diagnosed
