Arts & International Affairs: Vol. 4, No. 2, Autumn 2019 | Page 33

ARTS & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
the east/new member states/to more advanced west). In Wroclaw, however, unemployment
practically does not exist and salaries are among the highest. Wroclaw, the capital
of Lower Silesia region, is generally perceived as a most friendly environment for business
and considered as among top friendly places in the CEE to live by offering not only
jobs but also high culture, pleasant natural environment, and just good living conditions.
Policy has been focused on salary increases by linkage of academia to business and the
real job market, also by increasing sensitivity to societal aspects in the city and outside
through community participation. Currently, Wroclaw is among the top central and
eastern Europe places for high-tech companies, especially in the ICT sector and the go
start-up becomes a city banner backing already quite recognized very high rank in the
FDI in both technology and service sectors.
The triad�regional authorities, academia, and business�is based on an intensive dialogue
and well thought of actions engaging the city during the implementation phase
as an umbrella, co-financing authority but also an infrastructure creator and donator.
Thanks to very cooperative atmosphere, which is not quite common in a party dominated
governmental central policy and actions, the selection of areas requesting highest attention
and investment from all sides of the MAB triangle took quite early the form much
more known today as a smart specialization strategy (3S) with a MAB trialogue being a
focal planning tool. The later has been recently named the entrepreneurial discovery.
It is interesting to note that the 3S, the Wroclaw way, is by far not restricted to technological
priorities. The wealth creation is not enough, even in the developing regions. A lot of
stimuli coming from the Municipality are in the social innovation area aiming at the creation
of good and friendly space to live, particularly culture and especially the high one.
Municipality Support of Knowledge and Innovation
However, pure policy is not enough, specific instruments are needed. Among many,
three examples of such a development on a joint MAB action are worth more
detailed description. All of them look many years ahead, so should bring stable
profits, when the friendly assistance of the EU structural funds will come to an end.
1. Wroclaw Academic Hub 2
It is a city funded office located just across the Mayor's office at the beautifully restored
lively Market Square. Its role is to bring together all university institutions in joint actions
(not a trivial task) but also financially bridging researchers and businesses. The latter
is in the form of an ingenious MOZART�business–science partnerships (Wroclaw
Academic Hub 2013). The "Mozart" is a city program supporting partnerships between
entrepreneurs and academics. The topics respond to the needs of the companies�
2 http://wah.wroc.pl/ (Accessed 15 September 2019).
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