A recent congress held in Poland gathered 3,000 participants, including political leaders, local government officials, business representatives, scientists, and media personnel, to explore strategies for developing digital competences among residents. The focus of the discussions was on the critical role that digital skills play in local community development, influencing education, the job market, access to public services, and social resilience. It emphasized that effective actions must be data-driven, requiring rigorous diagnosis of needs, careful selection of performance indicators, ongoing progress monitoring, and robust evaluation of outcomes.

During the panel titled 'Data Instead of Intuition: How to Measure and Develop Residents’ Digital Competences Locally,' experts deliberated on the tools and collaboration models that can facilitate a transition from isolated initiatives to sustainable policies promoting digital skill development. The engagement of central administration alongside local governments was highlighted as crucial in creating an effective framework for this transition. The panel's moderator, journalist Krzysztof Kiryczuk, is set to lead discussions with noted participants including Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz from the Ministry of National Education and Sylwia Rembiszewska-Piątek, the deputy mayor of Olsztyn.

The implications of this congress are significant for local governance in Poland. By prioritizing data in the development of digital skills, municipalities can create policies that not only enhance the skillsets of residents but also contribute to broader economic and social advancements. This approach could serve as a model for other regions in Poland and abroad, emphasizing a systematic and evaluative method to public resource allocation and community empowerment.