Solidarity of the Cittaslow network towns
08 Oct 2024
Two cities belonging to the Polish national Cittaslow network, Prudnik and Głubczyce (from the Opole province) were seriously damaged in this year’s flood. The destruction in the Opole region is less talked about, meanwhile this region also suffered significantly. The authorities and residents of Prudnik and Głubczyce have been facing the catastrophic effects of the flood from the very first hours and need support. They are slowly trying to return to normal, thinking about cleaning up and rebuilding the cities. The most needed transport of industrial air dryers has already reached our local governments in the first few days. – says the coordinator of the Polish Cittaslow network and vice-president of Cittaslow International Jacek Kostka – In addition, most cities have declared financial assistance, which has already been and will be provided in the form of donations or subsidies.
The Association of Polish Cittaslow Cities itself, based on declarations from member municipalities, transferred a total amount of PLN 255,000, which will be divided between the affected cities. Direct financial support was also declared by: Sianów, Rzgów, Nowy Dwór Gdański, Murowana Goślina and Bisztynek.
The total financial assistance provided by local governments of the Polish Cittaslow network to Głubczyce and Prudnik amounts to over PLN 500,000.
Cittaslow cities from all over Poland also immediately started providing material aid. Collections in the cities brought tangible results in the form of several transports of donations. The first transport from Cittaslow cities set off from Warmia and Mazury on 18 September. The donations came not only from residents. Institutions and companies were also involved. A very large transport was prepared by, among others, the Police Academy in Szczytno.
The international network of Cittaslow cities brings together over 300 small cities from all over the world. In Poland, the organization includes nearly 40 local governments from all over Poland, 28 of which are located in Warmia and Mazury.
One of the most important assumptions of the Cittaslow movement is the cooperation of local governments, exchange of experiences and joint projects to improve the quality of life of residents. The year 2024 showed that the cities of the network can also unite in crisis situations and support each other.
We cordially encourage everyone to continue helping the victims of this year’s flood, especially members of the Cittaslow network, by making direct payments to bank accounts. Details on the website www.cittaslowpolska.pl and FB/Cittaslow Polska.
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