How can we retain talent in cities that, until recently, were considered peripheral? How can we create conditions where young, talented individuals not only stay but also change their surroundings, develop innovations, and build the economy of the future? The answer to these questions lies in the SPACE 4 TALENTS project, which Kozminski University co-creates as an academic partner, together with the Municipality of Stalowa Wola and a range of regional and national institutions.
This is one of the most forward-thinking initiatives in the field of urban policy, knowledge-based economy, and intersectoral education. The project will run until 2028, with a total budget of over 6.2 million euros, nearly 5 million of which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Urban Initiative (EUI).
“Today, the space industry is not just the domain of astronauts and government agencies – it is a rapidly growing sector of the economy that needs interdisciplinary talent. People with vision, passion, and the courage to reach further,” says Prof. Katarzyna Malinowska, project coordinator from Kozminski University, Director of the Space Studies Center.
A cosmic model for development
SPACE 4 TALENTS is a project designed with the future in mind – not only technological but also social. Its main goal is to develop and implement a model for attracting and retaining talent in cities that have lost their socio-economic functions, such as Stalowa Wola. The space sector is seen as a solution to this problem, becoming the starting point for the development of education, entrepreneurship, and scientific research.
The project’s motto – “Innovate. Share. Inspire.” – reflects its three-dimensional nature: innovation, sharing knowledge, and inspiring future generations. The focus of the activities will be on young people, students, teachers, startup founders, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
Space Academy, SPACELAB, and Support Network
As part of the project, a space will be created for prototyping and testing innovative solutions in space technology – SPACELAB – as well as the SPACE ACADEMY, an academy preparing future leaders in the sector. The project will also offer a wide range of events, from hackathons and competitions to thematic workshops, study visits, mentoring, internships, and direct contact with representatives from leading companies and experts from the space and defense sectors. This will be complemented by a modern support system for startups, helping young teams transform ideas into concrete, ready-to-implement innovations.
Thanks to SPACE 4 TALENTS, it will also be possible to gain practical experience in developing projects and prototypes using cutting-edge space technologies. A key element of this initiative will be the creation of real career paths in a sector that, until recently, seemed reserved only for specialized research institutions. Now – with the help of Kozminski University – this field is opening up to thousands of young people.
Kozminski University – Competences for the future
Kozminski University, as a leader in modern education and interdisciplinarity, will prepare and conduct three specialized courses. The first course will be aimed at students and startup founders, where participants will learn key aspects of management and administration in the space industry, discovering how various competencies can be applied in this new field. The second course will be designed for entrepreneurs and investors, showing them how to enter the space industry by leveraging their existing experience, knowledge, and know-how. The third educational module will be aimed at teachers and students, encouraging curiosity and showing that the future in the space industry begins with inspiration and education.
An open space for people and ideas
The project engages nearly 2,000 people – from high school students to university students, scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, employees of SMEs, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and residents of the region. It is also aimed at people from cities in the “Four Cities” alliance – Stalowa Wola, Tarnobrzeg, Sandomierz, and Nisko – as well as nearby municipalities that together form the Functional Urban Area. The scope of the project extends beyond local communities, also opening the region to international cooperation.
Project partners include: the Municipality of Stalowa Wola, Stalowa Wola Regional Development Agency, Kozminski University, Rzeszów University of Technology, Polish Innovative Foundation, Rebel Valley Ltd., and the INNSPACE Association. The project has been designed from the outset with the aim of integrating academic, business, and social communities.
SPACE 4 TALENTS is not just a project. It is a vision of a new reality – dynamic, open, co-created by people with passion and potential. It is also a concrete response to challenges related to the migration of young people, uneven regional development, and the need to build new economic specializations based on education, innovation, and international cooperation.
From dreams to technology
The SPACE 4 TALENTS project offers Kozminski University numerous strategic benefits, both academically and commercially. Collaborating on this project significantly enhances the university’s image, enabling the development of new competencies and the establishment of long-lasting relationships with the business sector and regional institutions.
The project provides an excellent opportunity to develop scientific cooperation, allowing Kozminski University to strengthen connections with a broad range of entities – from local institutions to enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and international partners. This kind of collaboration opens new possibilities for research, educational, and innovative projects and helps create networks that can support the development of future initiatives. Kozminski University will also serve as an incubator for young, innovative projects. By organizing hackathons, competitions, and workshops, the university will help foster the growth of startups and the commercialization of cutting-edge technological solutions, contributing to the creation of a modern innovation ecosystem in the region.
Moreover, the project strengthens collaboration with the business sector and public institutions. Thanks to partnerships with local authorities, research institutions, and commercial entities, Kozminski University will build lasting relationships with key players in the region and space sector, which will surely lead to future joint initiatives. The project also creates conditions for transforming research results and educational projects into commercial solutions, allowing the university to develop new models for technology transfer and innovation implementation in the market. In this way, Kozminski University can become a pioneer in the commercialization of knowledge and technological innovations.
Additionally, the project has a significant impact on regional development, contributing to the revitalization of local labor markets and economic growth, particularly in areas such as Stalowa Wola. Through initiatives like SPACE ACADEMY and the startup support system, Kozminski University has the opportunity to become a key player in the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem, which will bring long-term benefits both to the university and to local communities.
The project also supports the creation of innovative solutions and business models. By offering dedicated courses and educational initiatives, Kozminski University has the chance to develop novel approaches to attracting and retaining young talents in regions with low development dynamics. The support for startups in the space sector will enable the development of new business ventures, which can become catalysts for further innovations and positive changes in the economy.
More information: https://www.starr.pl/Space-4-Talents.html
