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| 09:00 – 09:30 | Registration and networking |
| 09:30 – 09:40 | Welcoming remarks Patrick Canagasingham, Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity International Magdalena Dul-Komosinska, National Director, Habitat for Humanity Poland |
| 09:40 – 10:05 | Fireside chat: Interview with a representative of the Polish government Krzysztof Kukucki, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology |
| 10:05 – 10:35 | Keynote speech (with Q&A) Maria Vassilakou, Former Vienna Deputy Mayor
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| 10:35 – 11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:00 – 12:20 | Plenary session: Housing solutions for refugees and migrants in a changing world Moderator: Mounia Tagma, International Housing Policy Expert Speakers:
As the world grapples with unprecedented levels of displacement, this session provides a vital platform for dialogue on one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. It offers an opportunity to explore collaborative, innovative approaches to housing that not only address immediate needs but also foster long-term stability and integration for refugees and migrants. With a special focus on the ongoing crisis spurred by the war in Ukraine, this session aims to shed light on the broader context of global displacement and the pursuit of long-term housing solutions for those forced to flee their homes. |
| 12:20 – 12:30 | My volunteering story Zygmunt Łopalewski, Beko Europe, Central Europe Communications and Government Relations Senior Manager
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| 12:30 – 13:45 | Lunch |
| 13:45 – 15:15 | Breakout 1: Implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the EU Social Climate Fund: A blueprint for sustainable future Moderator: Joanna Mazurkiewicz, Economist, Institute for Structural Research (IBS) Speakers:
In this pivotal session, panellists will delve into the transformative impact of two crucial EU initiatives – the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Social Climate Fund. The discussion will focus on the challenges and innovative practices related to the implementation of these initiatives at national levels across Europe. |
Breakout 2: Increasing the affordable housing stock: Social Rental Agency model and Empty Spaces in Central & Eastern Europe Introductory remarks (10 mins): Eszter Somogyi, Sociologist and Researcher, Metropolitan Research Institute Moderator: Alina Muzioł-Węcławowicz, Urban Geographer & Researcher Speakers:
This session will discuss the housing challenge in Poland and look into two complimentary solutions: the Social Rental Agency model and the renovation and repurposing of vacant housing. Panellists will delve into the challenges and complexities associated with both processes, while exploring the power of public-private cooperation and the potential of SRAs and Empty Spaces as viable solutions to address housing issues for individuals facing housing vulnerability. | |
| 15:15 – 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 15:30 – 17:15 | Breakout 3: Rebuilding and rights: Navigating property and housing challenges in post-conflict Ukraine Introductory remarks (10 mins): Inna Viktorivna Sarapina, Head of the Department for the Formation and Implementation of Housing Policy, Housing Policy and Improvement Department of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine Moderator: Besim Nebiu, Director CEE / CIS, Habitat for Humanity Speakers:
This session delves into the complex issue of property rights and the right to adequate housing in conflict and post-conflict zones, with a special emphasis on the current situation in Ukraine. As the country faces the daunting task of reconstruction and modernization in the wake of war, we explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This session provides a platform for a nuanced discussion on how to balance the urgency of reconstruction with the need for equitable, rights-based approaches. It offers insights into how the challenges faced by Ukraine can inform broader strategies for post-conflict recovery and housing rights advocacy globally. |
Breakout 4: Housing-led approaches for vulnerable groups Introductory remarks (10 mins) on the de-institutionalization of social services: Cezary Miżejewski, President of the Polish National Revisional Union of Social Cooperatives Research presentation (5-10 minutes): Katalin Karasz, Researcher Moderator: Allison Burden, DEI Program Director, Habitat for Humanity Speakers:
How do we break the cycle of poverty, while contributing to the social and economic development of the community as a whole? This session will look into the particular case of the Roma population in Europe and discuss social innovation models that can help break the cycle of exclusion. More broadly, participants will also discuss the de-institutionalization of social services and the opportunities and challenges associated with the provision of social services in the local community. | |
| 19:00 | Dinner reception for EHF participants & speakers Welcoming remarks by Magdalena Dul-Komosińska, Habitat for Humanity Poland |
| 09:00 – 9:30 | Registration and networking |
| 9:30 – 10:20 | Flash presentations 1) People Powered Retrofit, Imogen Sykes, Operations Lead 2) EU elections and housing, Edit Lakatos, Senior Policy Officer, Housing Europe 3) Energy Efficiency Fund (Ukraine), Mykola Ilinov, CFO 4) Safety and good living conditions for everyone – a home according to the IKEA philosophy, Agata Czachórska, Country Sustainability Manager, IKEA 5) Ukraine housing recovery, Dr. Julie Lawson, Adjunct Professor, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University |
| 10:20 – 12:15 | Roundtable Cities and affordable housing: Local government approaches to financing housing in cities Moderator: Adam Czerniak, Associate Professor at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics and Head of the Institutional and Political Economy Unit Introductory remarks (10 mins): Grzegorz Gajda, Senior Urban Specialist, European Investment Bank Speakers:
The voice and power of cities continues to grow. The challenge ahead is unprecedented and will require important investments. Cities across Europe have been tasked with planning for a sustainable transformation and economic recovery, while addressing the housing, cost-of-living and energy crises and ensuring no one is left behind. However, according to the latest Eurocities survey, 38% of Mayors declare facing difficulties in having sufficient or partial resources to match their needs in housing. While the European Union has offered important investments, in particular via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and its RepowerEU initiative, it was not guaranteed that cities were involved in the distribution of these funds, and several national governments made it difficult for larger cities to access them. How can the EU further support Mayors with their priorities? What financial tools and regulatory frameworks would help them develop and scale-up impactful housing solutions from pioneering cities? What is the role of private-public-partnerships? |
| 12:15 – 12:30 | Closing speech Laura Colini, Programme Expert, URBACT, IUAV University of Venice |
| 12:30 – 12:35 | Closing remarks by Rick Hathaway, Vice President – Europe and the Middle East, Habitat for Humanity International |
| 12:35 – 13:45 | Lunch |
| 13:45 – 17:45 | Study visits 1) Circular economy and ReStore, with Habitat for Humanity Poland 2) Empty Spaces and Social Rental Agency Project in Żyrardów 3) Housing support for refugees from Ukraine with IOM 4) Norblin Factory revitalization project in the heart of Warsaw with ULI Poland |
| 18:00 | Departure of guests |
Decent and Affordable Housing Without Borders