Project ''REinventing Culture in Urban Places'' - Bielsko-Biała on the European Map of Cultural Initiatives
Bielsko-Biała in an international project – an opportunity the city is seizing
Bielsko-Biała has joined the group of partners in the European project REinventing Culture in Urban Places, implemented under the URBACT IV programme. For a city that has been consistently developing its cultural and social activities – and which in 2026 will hold the title of the first Polish Capital of Culture – participation in this project marks an important stage of growth. This title opens new perspectives and allows the city to fully harness its creative potential. Initiatives such as this strengthen the awareness that Bielsko-Biała is part of the European community of cities ready to share their experiences and proven solutions.
Today, Bielsko-Biała consciously chooses development – not only by strengthening its own potential, but also through cooperation and exchange of experience with other cities across Europe. Participation in URBACT IV provides an opportunity to apply tried and tested practices and to introduce solutions that effectively respond to local needs.
Újbuda – a district that became an inspiration
The REinventing Culture in Urban Places project is based on the experience of Újbuda district and its successfully implemented CUP4Creativity project. This model – effectively applied and delivering measurable results – was recognised as a good practice and has brought us together with other European cities that wish to learn from and be inspired by it. In this context, a “good practice” means not only inspiration but also a concrete, proven solution that can be adapted to local realities. This allows innovations to be implemented faster and more effectively – not from scratch, but based on the experiences of international partners.
The main objective of CUP4Creativity was to counter loneliness and digital isolation through culture – not as a ready-made offer, but as a process of co-creation. Thanks to its microgrant programme, more than 120 grassroots initiatives received support, including balcony concerts, neighbourhood festivals, and micro-festivals. Urban spaces were transformed into creative hubs and meeting places. Crucially, the project engaged the local community, mapped its needs, and fostered cooperation with businesses and NGOs.
The conclusions from Budapest are clear: the most effective actions are those rooted in the community. The success of CUP4Creativity project demonstrated that the strongest foundation of culture is the joint activity of residents. This is the model we want to creatively develop in our city.
Bielsko-Biała through the eyes of experts – study visit and recommendations
At the initial stage of the project, Bielsko-Biała hosted European experts: Elisa Filippi – URBACT thematic expert, Máté Ábrahám – project leader from Budapest, and Aldo Vargas-Tetmajer – coordinator of the National URBACT Contact Point in Poland.
During the study visit, the experts familiarised themselves with the city’s potential in the field of culture and the creative sector. The meetings were attended by, among others, Deputy Mayor - Adam Ruśniak, Head of the Department of Culture and Promotion - Przemysław Smyczek, and representatives of cultural institutions: Bielsko Cultural Centre, Bielska Gallery BWA, the Polish Theatre, Banialuka Puppet Theatre, Książnica Beskidzka Library, and Municipal Cultural Centres. Discussions confirmed that the project perfectly fits the city’s strategy – at that time focused on the bid for the title of European Capital of Culture, and now on preparations for holding the title of Polish Capital of Culture 2026.
The second part of the visit focused on cooperation with local communities. The experts met with representatives of municipal departments, NGOs, youth groups, cultural animators, educators, and community leaders. The discussions revolved around how to build an action plan in the spirit of participation – engaging both institutions and residents.
The guests also visited selected cultural activity sites: Kubiszówka Cultural Centre, Książnica Beskidzka with its BEKA youth zone, Punkt 11, Redakcja BB, and the City Hall. They were particularly impressed by the Fairy-tale Bielsko-Biała trail, highlighting the city’s film heritage, as well as Pedanteria – a former Auschwitz laundry with a difficult wartime history, which has the potential to become a space of memory and socio-cultural activities.
In conclusion, the experts emphasised that Bielsko-Biała has a strong institutional base, an engaged community, and significant creative potential in culture and the creative industries.
A European perspective with a local heart – from inspiration to daily life
The visit resulted in the preparation of a set of recommendations for Bielsko-Biała, outlining directions for further development. The experts proposed five strategic pillars:
- Active community engagement – residents should have a real impact on the city’s cultural offer and development.
- Creative use of spaces – including vacant buildings and post-industrial areas.
- Digital and hybrid accessibility – expanding online activities and combining them with live events.
- Cooperation with the private sector – fostering business–culture partnerships as an additional source of support.
- Participatory cultural management – further involving residents and organisations in decision-making processes.
Implementing these actions will allow Bielsko-Biała to draw on European experience while building locally tailored models of cultural co-creation.
Aleksandra Tarnawa, cultural animator and head of Punkt 11, emphasises that the greatest strength lies in local, grassroots initiatives, which give residents a sense of agency. Such activities build bonds, strengthen community, and increase responsibility for the shared environment. The “communicating vessels” model – a network of spaces adapted to the needs of different districts – can, as the Újbuda example shows, effectively revitalise the urban fabric, especially in its historic parts.
Cultural projects such as this are an appropriate and effective response to the challenges faced by contemporary cities – such as loneliness or exclusion. They create safe spaces for meetings, cooperation, and exchange of experiences. International exchange within URBACT not only enables the use of proven practices but also strengthens the skills of local teams and builds the image of Bielsko-Biała as an open, creative city co-created by its residents.
Bielsko-Biała – consistently building its role as a city of culture
For years, Bielsko-Biała has been consistently strengthening its position as a city of culture – dynamic, open and European. Participation in the REinventing Culture in Urban Places project is another important step on this path. As a city that has applied for the title of European Capital of Culture and that in 2026 will become the first Polish Capital of Culture, we now face new perspectives. This is the moment when our cultural potential fully unfolds – enabling us both to share good practices and to benefit from the experiences of other European cities.
Culture and social activity are the foundations of local development. They build bonds, strengthen community, and give residents the sense of belonging to something greater. Participation in this project is not only an opportunity to learn from European experiences – it is also a chance for our city to become a space where culture inspires, integrates, and contributes to greater wellbeing.
Project co-financed by the European Union from the funds of the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the period 2021-2027
as part of the URBACT IV Programme.
Bielsko-Biała in the project: REinventing Culture in Urban Places
Together against digital loneliness
The City of Bielsko-Biała has joined the international project REinventing Culture in Urban Places implemented within the URBACT IV programme.
The project aims to strengthen local communities through the use of culture and creativity. The project, led by the Újbuda district of Budapest, builds on the experience of an earlier project, CUP 4 Creativity, which successfully tackled digital loneliness and weakened social connections.
The project involves other European cities learning together how to implement innovative solutions at a local level. Those are as follows:
- Újbuda, a district of Budapest (Hungary),
- Dubrovnik (Croatia),
- la Mancomunidad de l'Horta Nord (Spain),
- Amersfoort (Netherlands),
- Sandyford (Ireland).
Digital loneliness and the weakening of local social bonds
Digital loneliness, one of the key problems in modern societies, is a phenomenon in which people are replacing real social relationships with digital communication, leading to isolation and the breakdown of local bonds. Social media and digital applications, while facilitating global connections, often work for commercial gain while undermining real human relationships.
As many as 7% of European adults experience loneliness, according to a 2018 European Commission report. This phenomenon particularly affects urban dwellers, including in countries such as Hungary, where the problem is particularly prevalent. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the scale of digital loneliness, which has contributed to the weakening of social ties and local communities.
At the same time, culture and creativity have great potential to build mental health and rebuild social connections. Creative activities not only foster integration and community, but also allow for better economic and social development. Unfortunately, lack of access to the right tools, spaces and inspiration means that the potential for creativity in many people remains untapped.
Aims and activities of the project
The REinventing Culture in Urban Places project, which aims to rebuild local bonds through culture and creativity, has responded to these challenges. Its key elements are:
- Using technology and culture to strengthen local communities - project was inspired by innovations implemented in Budapest, such as the Adaptér knowledge centre, which combines modern technology with culture.
- Involving residents in grassroots activities - the project supports local initiatives and events to activate residents and create community.
- Building a creative ecosystem - project partners exchange experiences and good practices to develop an environment conducive to culture and creativity.
Within the project, activities focus on engaging residents in various forms of creativity to forge new relationships, strengthen local communities and combat isolation. One of the aims is also to support the creative and cultural industries sector, which can drive the development of local economies.
What stage of implementation are we at?
The international meeting of project partners held in Budapest is behind us. It was an opportunity to exchange experiences and plan joint activities and to get to know each other's partners. Currently, Bielsko-Biała is in the process of creating a Local URBACT Group, which will bring together representatives of residents, NGOs, entrepreneurs, cultural institutions and city authorities. This group will be a key element of the project activities, working on the creation of a Local Action Plan, i.e. a strategy integrating activities related to culture, creativity and community building.
What lies ahead?
In December, Bielsko-Biała will be visited by project experts who will meet with the city authorities and local stakeholders. Workshops and meetings will help identify local needs and develop practical solutions to foster creative communities.
Why REinventing Culture in Urban Places?
The project is a response to the challenges of modern cities, such as digital loneliness, social isolation and lack of integration of local communities. The project combines the potential of culture and creativity with modern technologies, offering residents alternatives to the passive consumption of digital content. Working together, the project aims to create a more integrated, open and creative environment in Bielsko-Biała, which will benefit both residents and the city as a whole.
By participating in the URBACT programme and working with European partners, Bielsko-Biała has the opportunity to become a leader in creating sustainable, creative and resilient urban communities.
Project co-financed by the European Union from the funds of the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the period 2021-2027
as part of the URBACT IV Programme.
Total Project Value: EUR 550 000
EU Funding: EUR 382 527
Grant Value: EUR 70 970,03
