The Drive2Transform consortium met in Katowice, Poland, from 16 to 18 March 2026 for its latest project meeting, hosted by KSSE / Silesia Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing. Partners from all nine project regions across eight countries participated in a three-day programme combining a multilateral BSO capacity building workshop, consortium work package sessions, and a closing strategy workshop on the future of the partnership.
The meeting opened with a guided visit to Nikiszowiec, the historic coal mining district offering a vivid window into Upper Silesia's industrial heritage. On the second day, the consortium began with a hybrid training session in which seven partner institutions shared their organisational approaches and regional strategies for automotive transformation. The consortium sessions that followed covered the further development of the Readiness Index and regional transformation roadmaps (WP1), the preparation of upcoming events including Policy Forum #2 and the international conference in Linz (WP2), and an in-depth look at Silesia Automotive's cluster operations. A guided walking tour through modern Katowice showcased the city's remarkable urban transformation from heavy industry hub to a modern cultural and business centre — a story that resonates strongly with the Drive2Transform mission.
Day three focused on the international use cases and cross-regional collaboration under WP3, followed by a forward-looking workshop organised by TechBase Regensburg with support from Hochschule Pforzheim. The session explored how the consortium can sustain and deepen its collaboration beyond the project's lifetime, from proven formats and services to emerging thematic priorities around electrification, autonomous driving, connectivity, and platform economy.
The consortium would like to sincerely thank KSSE / Silesia Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing for the outstanding organisation, including the venue, city tours, and warm hospitality, as well as all partners who travelled to Katowice and contributed to the rich and productive discussions.
Looking ahead, a busy spring programme awaits with the Driving Innovation webinar series, Policy Forum #2 on 24 March, further capacity building sessions, and the preparation for the Drive2Transform international conference in Linz. Details on all upcoming activities will be shared via the project website and partner channels.
Drive2Transform (CE0200679) is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Central Europe Programme.