Progress during Katowice's Second RFLL
- DUST
- May 26
- 2 min read
Discussion from the second Regional Futures Literacy Lab (RFLL) in Katowice revealed two distinct yet interconnected visions for the future of the Katowice subregion. One reflects the continuation of current trends and constraints—probable futures—while the other captures the aspirations and transformative ambitions of local communities—preferred futures. Though these narratives differ in tone and outcome, they share a focus on three critical themes: energy transformation, education, and the region’s identity and quality of life.
Energy transformation and economic diversification
In the probable future, energy transition is seen as slow, uneven, and heavily dependent on external impulses. Miners anticipate only partial modernisation of their sector, largely driven by market forces and offering limited economic diversification. Seniors view EU funding as the primary driver of change. Meanwhile, institutional stakeholders point to high costs and a shrinking workforce as serious constraints on the pace and scope of economic transformation.
Participants’ preferred future, however, tells a different story. It envisions a dynamic, innovation-led transition that delivers both energy security and a diversified economy. Here, members of least engaged communities (LECs) and institutional representatives champion the use of local resources such as water and methane from decommissioned mines. This would help facilitate regional energy independence and long-term resilience.
Education and workforce preparedness
Education marks a clear point of divergence. In the probable scenario, it fails to keep pace with the evolving labour market. This misalignment fuels concerns that the region’s young people will be ill-equipped for emerging industries, further weakening competitiveness and deepening social disparities.
Conversely, the preferred future presents education as a catalyst for regional revitalisation. All groups—miners, seniors, and youth—recognise its transformative power. Miners highlight the need for new competencies, seniors promote practical, hands-on training, and young people call for educational programmes tailored to the demands of a changing economy. In this vision, education is not just responsive, but strategic and empowering.
Regional identity, social impacts, and living conditions
Fears around the erosion of identity and the social costs of transition loom large in the probable future. Young people and institutions warn of a fading cultural legacy tied to mining and heavy industry. Seniors and officials are particularly concerned about small communities, which face depopulation and economic marginalisation as coal mines close and job opportunities dwindle.
Yet the preferred future reimagines these challenges as opportunities. Across all groups, there is a strong desire for better living conditions. Miners envision a future where local communities help shape new industries, accompanied by improved housing and leisure infrastructure. Seniors propose building a unified “mega city” through metropolitan integration. For young people, success means living in a region that is vibrant, forward-looking, and full of opportunity.
The distance between the probable and preferred futures is significant—but not insurmountable. Where one points to systemic inertia and social risk, the other lays out a roadmap grounded in local agency, innovation, and shared ambition. The conversation continues in the third RFLL—where these visions inform policy seed statements for the Katowice region.